Xerox "rents" RIT art students' diverse paintings

Employee morale at one Xerox office has been lifted by RIT School of Art pieces hanging in the hallways. The arrangement benefits both workers and students—who are being paid for their work.

For art students, there is nothing perhaps as valuable as the opportunity to exhibit work. And even though that often means they have to foot the bill for supplies, students are likely thrilled just to have their art on display.

Xerox Corporation recently gave aspiring RIT artists more than an exhibit chance; they added cash. In an arrangement different than most, the company is renting student artwork for one year. Artists receive $100 for each piece displayed in a new complex in Webster. Workers may also purchase a piece if the artist decides it's for sale.

"This is a wonderful opportunity not only for students to get their work up in a corporate environment, but to not have the expense for it come out of their own pockets," says David Dickinson, professor, School of Art, who worked with Xerox executives to organize the show of about 30 pieces. "Originally the idea was to have pictures done of Xerox plants all over the world. It expanded to a competition for those students in the fine arts programs: painting, printmaking and illustration. The theme was whatever they wanted as long as it's appropriate for a business setting."

Don Monefeldt, sector manager for the Xerox division sponsoring the competition, says that the arrangement has worked out far better than he ever expected. "The reaction to the artwork has been beyond belief, both from inside Xerox and from outside visitors. You could just feel the spirits rise as the work went up. We did this for the morale of our employees and it's just skyhigh as a result," says Monefeldt.

As for paying the students, Monefeldt says it's only fair. "We have a policy of expecting a lot from people and we think they should be rewarded."

Much to everyone's delight, two students sold pieces during the Xerox-sponsored opening held March 26. And as of early April at least five pieces were spoken for, which pleases Dickinson.

"It's just worked out very well," he says. "It's a win-win situation for everybody involved."