“Culture at Work” launches in Lublin. Artists enter companies
In the spring of 2026, the first stage of the Culture at Work program will begin in Lublin—a long-term project of artistic residencies in local companies, carried out as part of the European Capital of Culture Lublin 2029 initiative.
Artists will work for at least a month in specially designed pavilions set up on company premises—close to production halls, offices, warehouses, or research and development departments. The pavilion will serve both as a creative workspace and a point of interaction with employees, clients, and company visitors.
This initiative connects the worlds of business, work, and art in a practical, direct, and long-term way. Its aim is to demonstrate that artistic creation is not an addition to “real life,” but a fully-fledged form of work—one that requires skill, discipline, focus, and commitment.
As the organizers emphasize, the essence of the program is not merely presenting a final result, but showing the creative process itself. The goal is to bring people closer to artistic work and demonstrate that writing, painting, or composing are also everyday, tangible professional activities.
The program is implemented in cooperation with the Business Union, established during Lublin’s bid for the European Capital of Culture 2029 title. This ensures that the ideas included in the application gain a real dimension and translate into concrete actions linking culture, entrepreneurship, and the social life of the region.
The first host of the residency will be Medisept, a manufacturer of professional disinfectants and hygiene solutions. The business partner of the project is Tarasola, which will prepare the residency pavilion. Tarasola is a leading Polish producer of modern terrace roofing systems and aluminum pergolas.
The first artist-in-residence will be Ivan Davydenko—a writer from Zhytomyr, winner of the Artur Fryz National Literary Competition 2023 for the best poetic debut of the year, editor-in-chief of the magazine Malkontenty, and a nominee for the Stanisław Barańczak Scholarship Award.
In his work, Davydenko explores themes of war, migration, masculinity, and social relations. Writing in Polish as his second language, he creates multilayered works that combine Polish and Ukrainian literary traditions. His residency will last from April 7 to May 8, 2026.
“Artists in the workplace are neither decoration nor a break from reality,” says Ralph Talmont, creator of the Culture at Work program. “Their role is to help organizations see themselves anew: to understand what truly matters to them, where employees’ talents lack space to develop, and where automation and generative tools may begin to replace thinking. In this sense, art is a strategic tool—a way to build a living, resilient culture, not an ornament.”
Psychological analyses of artistic residencies in companies and the concept of “art thinking,” as well as studies on artistic interventions in organizations, clearly show that contact with artists strengthens openness, cognitive flexibility, collaboration skills, and readiness to act under constant change. At a time when companies operate under continuous pressure to adapt, artists provide a real source of new perspectives, questions, and team resilience. In other words, where art and artists are welcomed into the workplace, not only creativity grows, but also the human capacity to build organizations capable of navigating an increasingly fast-changing world.
The project also responds to challenges related to automation, the development of artificial intelligence, and the pressure for short-term results. Increasingly, there is discussion about declining employee engagement and a sense of detachment from the broader meaning of daily work. In this context, the presence of artists in organizations can become a catalyst for rethinking collaboration, creativity, and workplace culture.
Culture at Work also reflects broader changes taking place in Europe. Within the European Union, creative work is gaining recognition as a legitimate profession, and in Poland, legislative work is underway on a law granting professional artists access to social and health insurance, as well as on the Book Market Protection Act.
When business and the cultural sector work together, the entire city benefits: culture improves quality of life, stimulates innovation, and builds the community energy needed for Lublin’s development. This cooperation extends beyond city borders—a strong cultural ecosystem attracts talent, visitors, investment, and new ideas to the entire region. For Lublin and the Lublin region, the partnership between culture and business is not an addition, but a practical tool for building resilience, identity, and long-term growth.
These principles form an important pillar of the European Capital of Culture Lublin 2029 program, which promotes the well-being of the creative sector and modern cultural management. Investment in creators and a diverse program of activities within the ECoC 2029 framework will become a unique source of experience for current and future professionals.
Each residency will be documented from day one, and after its completion, a short book publication will be created summarizing the process and key insights from both the company employees’ and the artist’s perspectives.
The program is open to companies from all sectors—from manufacturing and logistics, through services and new technologies, to educational and medical institutions—provided they are ready to genuinely integrate an artist into the life of the organization.
Project partners:
Tarasola
Tarasola is a Polish manufacturer of stylish terrace roofing systems, side enclosures, and carports. Founded and developed in Lublin, the brand is a leader in Poland and a major supplier across Europe. Each product is custom-made and valued for its high quality and timeless design.
We want the terrace to be a meeting place—a second home: comfortable, safe, and enjoyable regardless of the season. By designing Tarasola structures, we create spaces where memories are made with family, friends, and loved ones. Each project is not just a structure, but a place for life’s best moments.
The Culture at Work project shows that Tarasola products can be not only places of relaxation, but also comfortable and inspiring workspaces. Creativity and functionality go hand in hand with elegance and style.
“We create comfortable spaces for people to spend their free time wherever they dream—whether in the garden, on a balcony, or on a rooftop.”
— Piotr Garbacz, CEO
“We create more than just a structure. We create a space that becomes a second home.”
— Robert Bartosiak, Managing Director
Medisept
Medisept is a Polish manufacturer of comprehensive hygiene and disinfection solutions. For over 30 years, the company has delivered innovative products for demanding environments, particularly in the medical sector, where safety and effectiveness are critical. Each solution is developed under rigorous standards of quality and reliability.
At Medisept, we believe that safety begins with hygiene. By creating our products, we design spaces where people’s health and lives are protected every day. We do not accept compromises where effectiveness, precision, and responsibility matter.
The Culture at Work project shows that a modern workplace is not only about technology and efficiency, but also creativity, sensitivity, and openness to new ideas. Combining art with business brings a new dimension to the Medisept environment, inspiring both employees and visitors.
“Saving human life is what gives our business story a deeper meaning.”
— Przemysław Śnieżyński, CEO
Culture at Work Launches in Lublin. Artists Enter Companies
In spring 2026, the first phase of the Culture at Work program will begin in Lublin – a multi-year project of artistic residencies in Lublin-based companies, implemented as part of Lublin: European Capital of Culture 2029.
Artists will work for at least a month in specially prepared pavilions set up on company premises – close to production halls, offices, warehouses, and research and development departments. The pavilion will serve as both a creative workspace and a point of contact for employees, clients, and guests.
Details coming soon.
