At Studio Olafur Eliasson, we are committed to creating space for diverse perspectives, experiences, and identities to intersect and be expressed. We proactively work to become increasingly sensitive to, and respectful of, those we connect with through our art projects and exhibitions across the world.

 

Since 2020, we have put time and care into deepening our understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The framework we are building helps us stay accountable to our goals, and this work continues to evolve as we keep learning, questioning privilege, and addressing inequities. Rooted in critical reflection, our DEI work looks at how our actions, structures, and practices impact our team and everyone we collaborate with. Recognising the importance of our external partnerships, we approach how we work with manufacturers, production companies, consultants, advisors, and institutions with curiosity and through dialogue.

 

DEI has become integral to the studio’s culture, influencing our policies and our daily interactions, creative processes, and decision-making. Our approach to DEI is motivated by the same spirit of exploration that shapes Olafur Eliasson’s artistic practice, which incorporates collective input, embraces complexity, and cultivates openness. This approach helps shed light on our blind spots, challenges assumptions and biases, and prompts reflection. We seek to engage with the natural friction that arises day-to-day in the hope of forming stronger connections between teams through collaboration, exchange and listening to each other.

 

Our DEI work is carried out in internal workshops, training sessions, and regular meetings, and is led by our cross-departmental DEI Group – a rotating team of colleagues who sign up yearly to research and integrate DEI topics into our projects and everyday practices. They bring their personal and professional experiences, interests, and knowledge to meetings, and work in various theme-based sub-groups. The DEI Group also organises events – such as film screenings and talks – that create opportunities for collaboration, learning, and exchanges of ideas on diverse cultural, social, and political topics among colleagues and speakers.

 

Since its inception, the DEI Group has introduced anti-bias and inclusive-language training, helped shape and enact an inclusive-employment policy, hosted studio-wide Nonviolent Communication workshops, and initiated measures to improve accessibility to the studio. Alongside this work, the studio adopted an official anti-discrimination policy in 2023.

 

In today’s interconnected world, engaging with difference and complexity is not optional or avoidable – it’s essential. This is why we are committed to maintaining a studio approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion that is responsive and continually evolving.