The Institute for Art and Olfaction

THE IAO IS LAUNCHING ITS BIENNIAL FUNDRAISER

The Institute for Art and Olfaction is an arts non-profit based in Los Angeles. We are devoted to experimentation, education and access in the field of perfumery, and we have been in operation since 2012. Our core programming is in three categories: education and access, experimentation and what we loosely call advocacy. We work hard, and - after all these years - we are still excited about the creative potential for scent.

Every couple of years we do a fundraiser. These fundraisers help us get some momentum on long term projects, allow us to address any special one-off needs, and – generally – are a crucial part of our ongoing survival.

Below we’ve outlined some of our more specific programs that this fundraiser is going to help. On behalf of the team, the community, and the board of directors: thank you!




WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

In the 7 years we’ve been in operation, The Institute for Art and Olfaction has done many, many things that – in retrospect – we find amazing. Exhibitions, collaborations, more classes and workshops and talks than we can count, not to mention special projects on topics ranging from homelessness to open source mechanisms for perfumery. In fact, in our years of activity, we’ve done a lot of incredible work towards fulfilling our core mission, by opening up the perfume industry to everybody.

For example…

We’ve started what *might* be the only extant perfume garden created specifically for homeless populations. With the help of our friends at GrowGood, we have a long-term plan that started in April 2019 with the planting of seedlings, and will develop over the course of the next year with the harvesting and extraction of the aromatics. Along the way we hope to train the community to harvest and work with aromatic materials in the public domain. Our long-term vision for this is to eventually create into a workable income model for the community. At the very least, this collaboration allows a nice and aromatic space for homeless people to relax, and enjoy being alive.  Learn more here.

Does anybody remember that movie we’ve been working on? Well, we’re making headway, and we're so excited. It’s going to be an amazing and entertaining exploration of the industry. That is, if we can get the ongoing support for the editing process, and - eventually - color correction, sound mixing, mastering and a whole bunch of technnical needs that are crucial for to transform a series of clips strung together into a fantastic film. Learn more here.

Then there’s the little matter of the Art and Olfaction Awards. In magical news, we’re already prepping our next awards cycle, which will be supplemented by a week of programming (“Scent Week,” we’re calling it: simple and descriptive is always better). This Scent Week will take place in Los Angeles, between May 7 - 14, 2020. Learn more here.

And there's more...
+ The Open Source Smell Culture project database: Learn more here
+ The planned relaunch of our podcast, Scentless Apprentice: Learn more here



SO WHY ARE WE FUNDRAISING?

Alongside needing to fund all this exciting new programming, there are the ongoing costs associated with a growing and thriving experimental perfume laboratory. Over the past seven years, we've developed new courses and exciting one-off events, and our core staff has expanded with the addition of Tim (Lab Manager), Madeleine (Special Programs Coordinator), and Minetta (Director of Operations). Together – and with the help of our board of directors, teachers, colleagues and friends – we manage and lead our regular classes and create new educational, artistic, and experimental opportunities.

So, for this, and for all the reasons to do with beauty, access, and human-to-human connection through sensorial work, we are calling on you to support the IAO. The IAO is a pioneer in the space of public practice with scent: our very own open non-profit experimental perfume laboratory, serving the community and the world at large on a local and international level.

Help us maintain our vision, so we in turn can help and support the broader public to love and engage with scent as much as we do.




WHAT IS THE IAO?

Founded in September 2012 in Los Angeles, 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 experimental projects that utilize the medium of scent, by providing accessible and affordable education in our laboratory 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.




WHO IS BEHIND THIS?

The IAO is an independent non-profit that survives thanks to classes, private sponsors, occasional corporate support, and - increasingly - the community.

The IAO is:
+ Saskia Wilson-Brown - Executive Director + Founder
+ Minetta Rogers - Dir. of Operations
+ Timothy Van Ausdal - Lab Manager
+ Madeleine Stearns - Special Projects Coordinator

And the board of directors, including: Ashley Eden Kessler, Daniel Krasofski, Kendra Gaeta, Jeffrey Paul, Jessica Hannah, Julianne Lee, Maxwell Williams, Micah Hahn, Minetta Rogers, Sarah Horowitz-Thran, Saskia Wilson-Brown, with Mandy Aftel serving as a special advisor and a whole host of other important people lending a hand or a voice.




HOW ELSE CAN I HELP?

If for whatever reason you feel unable to donate right now, there are plenty of other ways to help us.

SPREAD THE WORD
Use your socials to help spread the word about this campaign. Here is some suggested text!

The Institute for @artandolfaction is a non-profit devoted to experimental and independent practices in perfumery, and they are smack in the middle of a fundraising drive. Lend them a hand, good people of the internet. #2019IAOfundraiser #friendswithpipettes - https://bit.ly/2k2tBwW


SHOP ON AMAZON SMILE
Don't underestimate the magical alchemy that turns your kitty litter into our rent money. It may seem small, but it helps!
+ Shop here: https://smile.amazon.com/ref=smi_ext_ch_46?_encoding=UTF8&ein=46-3012493&ref_=smi_chpf_redirect&ref_=smi_ext_ch_46-3012493_cl


COME TO CLASS
A full house means we are making our monthly budgets. Show up! Participate! Enjoy!
+ Upcoming events: http://artandolfaction.com/calendar


JOIN AS A MEMBER
Join our expansive and vibrant community and support the Institute for Art and Olfaction as a member. Our members play an integral role in the IAO and all its related programs by ensuring the long-term survival of the organization.
+ Learn more: http://artandolfaction.com/membership

 


 
HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH?

Any questions, comments or notes, we're here to hear them: [email redacted] will get a response, and rather quickly.

You can also learn more about the IAO on all our social platforms and online outlets:

Website: artandolfaction.com
Instagram: @artandolfaction
Facebook: /artandolfaction
Twitter: @artandolfaction
Official hashtag: #2019IAOfundraiser


THANK YOU!