CORE PROGRAMS

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Part of the mission of The Institute for Art and Olfaction is to create a series of project-based experiments that incorporate various disciplines – from data to science, research to art. Indeed, since we launched The IAO in 2012, we’ve collaborated with institutions around the world, produced large-scale installation and performative work, supported projects by artists from the olfactory and contemporary art communities, and presented countless classes and workshops. From a scented film screening to a historic re-creation of a failed scent concert, a two-year iterative perfume project tied to a cross-country road trip to a smelly, gulaal-pigmented mosh pit – our special projects are diverse, collaborative, and the life’s blood of the IAO programming.

Each project takes the form of an atist-led collaboration, a special exhibition or event. Each project culminates in a tangible result- whether it be an exhibition, an edition, a talk, an experience or simply a perfume. Check out the menu to the left to learn about current and past projects, presented alphabetically by year.

 

EDUCATION

We provide accessible perfume education programs for students of all levels and interests through our in-house laboratory-based programs, our library of perfume related books, and lectures and workshops in the larger community. We offer:

– Open Sessions: Affordable, hands-on, knowledge-share open sessions, since 2013
– Talks and workshops: In-studio talks related to special topics in perfume history and culture
– Perfume Education: Advanced classes designed to help build skills in perfumery
– Community Education: Partnering with institutions to present topic-specific lectures and workshops

Learn more about our education programs here.

COMMUNITY

We support and foster the perfumery and arts communities in Los Angeles and beyond through community-specific events.

– The Art and Olfaction Awards: A yearly awards mechanism created to celebrate excellence in independent and artisan perfumery. More information.
– Experimental Scent Summit: A yearly summit of experimental practitioners with scent, produced in collaboration with Klara Ravat (for Smell Lab).
– And more!

Meet our partners for these and other programs, here.