If you are applying for a job at Studio Olafur Eliasson, it may help you to take a look at the descriptions of the different studio teams above, including information on relevant backgrounds and profiles for working in the various departments, as well as our work-space accessibility measures.
Please note that we are only able to respond to unsolicited applications in cases of immediate relevance and we almost exclusively consider applicants responding to specific job openings. In the event of a vacancy, we will post an announcement here.
Currently no vacancies.
STUDIO TEAMS
Archive and public projects
The archive team manages and develops the physical and digital archives of Studio Olafur Eliasson, collecting and organising information on all artworks, exhibitions, architectural projects, publications, events, and research created by Eliasson and his studio over the duration of his artistic life. Their tasks include web and software development in addition to management of the studio’s databases, websites, and digital archiving tools. The team takes care of www.olafureliasson.net and other related websites – the studio’s main public platforms for supporting researchers, journalists, and anyone interested in knowing more. The archive team works closely with the studio’s publications team on planning artist’s books and catalogues, contributing extensive image-editorial input as well as archival support. Another area of responsibility for this team involves working with Eliasson to develop special projects in public space and to formulate the accompanying programmes of events for exhibitions. Team members have backgrounds or extensive work experience in art history and theory, visual media, archiving, and web and software development.
Communications
The communications team coordinates with all departments at Studio Olafur Eliasson to share with the public relevant news and background information on the artist’s broad practice. They supply important context on research and experimental activities, as well as on exhibitions, artworks, and individual projects. Working in close dialogue with Eliasson, the team looks after all aspects of public relations, including press requests, social media, and documentation. In addition, the team acts as a liaison between public institutions and the studio, overseeing the creation of communication materials – including wall texts, press releases, and brochures – and advising on marketing material and advertising. The team also works with Little Sun and Studio Other Spaces, both co-founded by Eliasson. The members of the communications team have extensive experience in public relations and social media management, as well as backgrounds in the visual arts.
Cooking & food research
Three days a week, the SOE kitchen prepares vegan or vegetarian meals for the entire studio. The kitchen creates a space for eating and thinking, for food experimentation and impromptu encounters. The team conducts food research and workshops on topics such as fermentation and baking, engages in temporary collaborations with museums and other institutions within the context of Eliasson’s projects and exhibitions, and periodically invites guests from different areas of the culinary arts to come cook with the team. Most people on the kitchen team have backgrounds or extensive work experience in cooking or in the arts and crafts.
Design
The design department develops and realises site-specific artworks for public and private clients. The team creates a conceptual design based on extensive research into local conditions and involving a number of external consultants, such as local craftspeople and engineers. After submitting a detailed proposal, the team realises the artwork in close collaboration with the client. Some of the works are constructed at our workshops in Berlin-Oberschöneweide before being transported to the site. Our team members have a background in architecture and design, with skills ranging from concept and design development, 3D modelling, visualisation, and physical model building, to detail development, project planning, and building site management. All these diverse talents come together to create the team effort required for each project.
Development & production
The development & production team is responsible for developing, planning, and producing artworks, and for packing, storing, shipping, installing, documenting, and repairing artworks. Members work on the creation of, experimentation with, and technical testing of artworks with Olafur Eliasson. The team works in several in-house workshops as well as in a digitally-based design and development team. In the wood workshop, they build models, studio furniture, and templates; outfit transport crates; and produce components for artworks made from wood. In the metal workshop, they weld and construct artworks, templates, and prototypes mainly in steel and stainless steel and, on rare occasions, in metals like bronze, brass, and aluminium. The team also includes electricians specialised in working with lighting and electrical wiring for art installations. In the painting workshop, painters work with oil paint on canvas and watercolour on paper; and in the glass and general assembly workshop, members work with glass and other materials on developing and testing new ideas, as well as on assembling the final artworks and packing them for transport. Development & production team members come from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds, including fine arts, architecture, design, engineering, metal and woodwork, light and electrical design. The team also includes specialists in logistics, documentation, conservation, and restoration, and a number of team members who have no craft-specific education.
Digital Body
This small, multidisciplinary team conducts spatial research in the digital realm, focusing on questions of perception and embodiment. Working experimentally to develop prototypes, the team aims to develop mixed-reality artworks to be exhibited in public spaces and hosted online. To conceive and produce these digital artworks, the team works both independently and in collaboration with external researchers and expert development partners. The digital body team members have expertise in technical and theoretical fields, with backgrounds in programming, digital-art production, film, and architecture.
Exhibitions
The exhibitions team develops and plans all of Eliasson’s exhibitions – his participation in international group shows, art fairs, and gallery exhibitions, as well as his large-scale solo shows in museums. In close collaboration with the artist, external curators, and the institutions hosting the exhibitions, the team shapes the curatorial concepts, designs the exhibitions for the specific sites, and oversees the realisation and installation of the exhibition plans. The members of the exhibitions team have training or extensive professional experience in art history, curation, and architecture.
Finance and Human Resources
The finance team is in charge of all financial aspects of the studio – budgets, accounting, and business management – and works together with the other departments in developing contracts. HR handles recruitment, job contracts and salaries, and supports interns, new hires, and studio members. Finance and HR team members have backgrounds or extensive work experience in accounting, international tax regulations, business management, and human resources.
Front Desk team
The front desk team serves as first contact for studio inquiries; does travel planning and general office management; and assists the finance team with in-house studio budget overviews. Front desk team members have backgrounds in fine arts, linguistics, and cultural management.
IT
The IT team supports individual studio projects with their expertise in technology and systems management. They handle the in-house systems operations, server, and applications management.
Relationship development and executive assistance to Olafur Eliasson
This team coordinates and manages the daily workflow between Eliasson and studio teams, external collaborators, and partners, supporting the artist’s practice and engagement with his extensive network. Team members have backgrounds in business management, cultural management, social sciences, and art history.
Research & advocacy
The research & advocacy team sources in-depth content relevant to Eliasson’s interests, discusses and contextualises thinkers and theories, and helps put these topics to work across the studio.They also conceive and produce events and research-oriented projects with external partners. Research topics also directly inform and flow into the studio’s publications, which are conceived and developed by a part of the team. Research & advocacy team members have backgrounds or extensive work experience in art history, philosophy, fine arts, editing, publishing, and communications.
Primary work languages at Studio Olafur Eliasson: English and German.
Studio Olafur Eliasson is located in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, with further workshops in Oberschöneweide, Berlin. An entrance in the courtyard of the main studio provides wheelchair access to the building at street level, and ramps and elevators lead to all other floors. The building at Oberschöneweide is also wheelchair accessible on the ground floor. The bathrooms at both locations are currently not wheelchair accessible. All desks can be electronically adjusted for sitting or standing. For all questions related to accessibility, health, and safety, we consult with an occupational safety engineer and a company doctor.