J. Paul Getty Trust facts for kids
The Getty wordmark
(designed by Saul Bass in 1993) |
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| Founded | 1953 |
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| Founder | J. Paul Getty |
| Focus | "Aims to further knowledge and nurture critical seeing through the growth and presentation of its collections and by advancing the understanding and preservation of the world's artistic heritage." |
| Location |
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| Method | Grants, research |
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Key people
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Katherine E. Fleming, President and CEO |
| Endowment | $7.7 billion (as of 2020) |
| Website | www.getty.edu |
The J. Paul Getty Trust is the richest art organization in the world. In 2020, it had about $7.7 billion to support its work. It is located in Los Angeles, California.
The Trust runs the J. Paul Getty Museum, which has two main locations. One is the Getty Center in Brentwood, and the other is the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. The Trust also has other important programs: the Getty Foundation, the Getty Research Institute, and the Getty Conservation Institute.
About 1.6 million people visit the Getty museums each year, making it one of the most visited museums in the United States. The Trust also helps other museums and cultural places by giving them money and training. It has a large library, publishes books, and hosts visiting scholars. The Getty is also dedicated to protecting and preserving art and historical sites around the world.
Contents
History of the Getty Trust
The J. Paul Getty Museum Trust was started in 1953 by a very rich businessman named J. Paul Getty. He founded the Getty Oil Company in 1942. In 1957, Fortune magazine said he was the richest living American.
When J. Paul Getty passed away in 1976, he left most of his money to the Trust. This included about $660 million worth of stock in Getty Oil. After some time, the Trust received all of Getty's gift in 1982. That same year, the Trust began adding new programs. In 1983, its name was officially changed to 'The J. Paul Getty Trust'.
In 1997, Barry Munitz became the new president and CEO. He took over from Harold M. Williams, who was the first president. Mr. Williams had overseen the building of the huge Getty Center, which cost $1 billion. In 2009, the Getty Trust had $4.2 billion, making it the wealthiest art institution in the world.
During his time, Barry Munitz made some changes. He closed two of the Trust's programs. However, his leadership faced some challenges. He resigned in 2006.
On December 4, 2006, James N. Wood, an art historian, became the new president and CEO. In 2009, the Trust's money decreased, so Mr. Wood had to reduce the number of employees. Parking fees at the museums were also increased. Sadly, Mr. Wood passed away suddenly in 2010.
In May 2011, James Cuno became the new president and CEO. Then, in April 2022, Katherine Fleming was chosen to lead the Trust, starting in August 2022.
What the Getty Programs Do
The J. Paul Getty Museum is an art museum with two locations. The museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California, shows "Western art from the Middle Ages to today." About 1.3 million people visit it every year. The museum at the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California, displays art from ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. The museum started with J. Paul Getty's own art collection.
The Getty Foundation used to be called the "Getty Grant Program." It began in 1984. The Getty Trust can use some of its money to give gifts and grants. By 1990, the Foundation had given $20 million to art historians, art protectors, and museums in 18 countries. For example, a grant helped restore a special floor in Westminster Abbey. The Foundation also used to run a program called the Museum Leadership Institute (MLI). This program helped almost 1,000 museum leaders from around the world. In 2010, this program moved to Claremont Graduate University.
The Getty Research Institute (GRI) is located at the Getty Center. It works to "further knowledge and advance understanding of the visual arts." The GRI has a large research library, organizes art shows, and hosts scholars. It also publishes books and keeps electronic databases. The library has about 900,000 books, magazines, and auction catalogs. It also has two million photos of art and buildings.
The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) is also in Los Angeles, California. It has offices at the Getty Center and the Getty Villa. It started in 1985. The GCI is a private international research group that helps improve how we protect and preserve art and historical sites. It does this through scientific research, education, and training. GCI scientists study how objects and buildings get damaged and how to prevent it. They also help create long-term education programs, like a master's degree in conservation with the University of California, Los Angeles.
From 1983 to 1999, the Trust also had the Getty Information Institute (GII). This group collected electronic information for cultural organizations and researchers. When GII closed, its databases were moved to the Getty Research Institute.
How the Getty Trust is Run
The Trust was created on December 2, 1953, to spread "artistic and general knowledge." A group of 13 people called the board of trustees runs the Trust. Trustees serve for four years and can serve up to three terms. The board chooses its own new members. They meet once a year, usually in May or June. The board makes important decisions, like approving any art purchase that costs more than $1 million.
In 2006, the California Attorney General looked into the Trust's operations. After the investigation, an independent person was hired to make sure the Trust was managed correctly. This oversight ended in 2008.
The Trust faced financial challenges after 2007. Its budget was cut by 14%. In 2007, the Trust had $6.4 billion, but this dropped to $4.5 billion in 2009. By 2018, with the economy getting better, the Trust's funds grew to $6.9 billion.
The J. Paul Getty Medal
The J. Paul Getty Medal was created in 2013. It honors people who have made amazing contributions to art, understanding art, or supporting the arts.
The first people to receive the medal in December 2013 were Harold M. Williams and Nancy Englander. They were honored for their leadership in making the Getty what it is today. In 2014, Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild, received the medal. He is known for helping to preserve and share Waddesdon Manor.
In September 2015, the Getty Medal was given to architect Frank Gehry. He has designed many famous buildings around the world for over fifty years. His work has won him many top awards, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
The 2016 Getty Medal went to musician Yo-Yo Ma and, after his death, to artist Ellsworth Kelly. Yo-Yo Ma is a master cellist who also started the nonprofit Silkroad. This group promotes new music and cultural partnerships. Ellsworth Kelly was a painter and sculptor. He supported the protection of art at museums and historical sites worldwide.
Artist Anselm Kiefer and writer Mario Vargas Llosa received the medal in 2017.
In September 2018, the Getty Medal was given to Thelma Golden, who leads The Studio Museum in Harlem. It also went to Agnes Gund, a former president of the Museum of Modern Art, and Richard Serra, a famous sculptor.
The 2019 Getty Medal was awarded to classicist Mary Beard and artists Ed Ruscha and Lorna Simpson. The 2020 winners were Alice Walton, Martin Puryear, and Kwame Anthony Appiah.
See also
In Spanish: J. Paul Getty Trust para niños
