The Institute for Art and Olfaction

We initiate experimental projects, host educational workshops that explore all facets of the medium of scent, and produce the Art and Olfaction Awards. Founded in September 2012, The Institute for Art and Olfaction is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit devoted to advancing public, artistic and experimental engagement with scent. We do this by initiating and supporting arts projects that utilize the medium of scent, by providing accessible and affordable education in our experimental laboratory, our project space as well as in partnership with institutions and community groups, and by celebrating excellence in independent, artisan and experimental perfumery through our yearly award mechanism, The Art and Olfaction Awards. Through these efforts, we extend the world of scent beyond its traditional boundaries of appreciation and use. Our Focus: Innovation: We foster experimentation with scent through strategic cross-discipline projects, and by providing space for research and development in a well-stocked perfumers’ laboratory. Similarly, we facilitate innovative creative practices spanning science, technology and the popular and fine arts through project-based residency and research programs. Education: We inform the public about social and scientific issues that impact the art form, and allow for easy access to the basics of scent education through an ongoing series of classes, workshops and lectures in our educational lab and with partner institutions. Support: We support artists and perfumers by advancing their experimental practices through our ongoing creative residency programs. We do this in our Los Angeles headquarters and with partner institutions. Exposure: We launched the independent and blindly-judged Art and Olfaction Awards in 2014 to further illuminate the work being done in the experimental, independent and artisan scent realm.