Photography
Based on our expertise in the field of cameras and lenses gained from our former Imaging business*, our CSR activities focus on photographic projects with an educational approach. As a sponsoring partner of Deichtorhallen, the Foam photography museum in Amsterdam and the Fotografie Forum Frankfurt, we provide our cameras on a long-term basis as part of our bid to promote cultural education.
*Olympus transferred the Imaging business to the company OM Digital Solutions, managed and operated by Japan Industrial Partners Inc. on January 1, 2021.
Opening new perspectives
recommended – Fellowship for Photographers
In collaboration with Deichtorhallen Hamburg, the Foam photography museum in Amsterdam and the Fotografie Forum Frankfurt, Olympus offered a fellowship to three budding photographers working in the artistic field in both 2017 and 2019.
By offering this fellowship, the four partners (Deichtorhallen Hamburg, the Foam photography museum in Amsterdam, Fotografie Forum Frankfurt and Olympus) were able to promote contemporary photography in the artistic field. It gave young photographers an effective means of support at a crucial time in their careers. A major element of this support was personal coaching by the experienced curators and exhibitions at the three venues. This idea is summed up in the title recommended ‒ a personal recommendation to the public by seasoned curators.
The program provided support to the three chosen fellows at various levels: they each received a grant of 10,000 euros as well as Olympus camera equipment, personal coaching from one of the three photographic curators at the exhibition venues, and the opportunity to present their work at those venues. Thanks to the financial support, each fellow was able to implement their own photographic project, while the exhibitions brought their work to the attention of a larger audience and the world of art.
Photographers were nominated by the exhibition curators. The fellows for the 2019/2020 cohort were selected in January 2019 by the venues’ curators from a shortlist of nine nominees. They come from the Dominican Republic, Russia and Germany, and all live and work in Switzerland and Germany. You can find out more about the fellows and the program at www.recommended.photo.
from front left to front right: Kim Knoppers (Foam curator), Celina Lunsford (FFF curator), Karla Hiraldo Voleau (scholarship recipient), Mika Sperling (scholarship recipient), Tobias Kurse (scolarship recipient)
from back left to back right: Juliane Hüppe (Olympus), Olaf Kreuter (Olympus), Ingo Taubhorn (curator of the Haus der Photographie / Deichtorhallen Hamburg)
© Olympus/ Niklas Nischke
Mika Sperling, "Father of Twelve", from the series "Above the Circle", 2018 © Mika Sperling
Karla Hiraldo Voleau, Hola Mi Amol [Hello My Love], 2019 © Karla Hiraldo Voleau
Karla Hiraldo Voleau, Latin Lover, 2019 © Karla Hiraldo Voleau
Deichtorhallen Hamburg
Deichtorhallen Hamburg is one of Europe’s largest exhibition centers for contemporary art and photography.
With its two historical buildings – open steel-and-glass structures dating from 1911 to 1913 – Deichtorhallen Hamburg is a work of art in its own right. Today, its architecture creates the backdrop for spectacular major international shows that regularly attract up to 60,000 visitors.
Website of Deichtorhallen
Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam
As one of Europe’s most popular photography museums, based in Amsterdam, Foam exhibits the works of world-class photographers and up-and-coming talents.
The Amsterdam based photography museum Foam informs and inspires the widest possible audience by presenting all facets of contemporary photography. The museum organizes a range of activities, spanning from exhibitions and publications to debates and educational projects.
The exchange of expertise and network activities are central to the collaboration between Foam and Olympus, with a focus on educational programs. The training program supported by Olympus reaches more than 15,000 young people and helps new generations to discover, experience and enjoy the world of art and photography.
Website of Foam
Fotografie Forum Frankfurt (FFF)
The Fotografie Forum Frankfurt (FFF) is a unique center that exhibits photographic art of the highest quality and promotes its importance as universal visual language.
Fotografie Forum Frankfurt © Georg Dörr/lumenphoto.de
The FFF combines all aspects of photography through a wide-ranging program of exhibitions, publications, workshops, lectures and symposiums. It highlights both evolving and classic interpretations of the photographic medium and presents premiering photographers’ work in Germany.
The non-profit organization is supported through its members, entrance fees, book and print sales, the City of Frankfurt – and by sponsors such as Olympus.
Website of Fotografie Forum Frankfurt