History of Getty

Milestones from 1953–Present

Black and white photograph of J. Paul Getty looking at an architectural model of the Getty Villa

J. Paul Getty (at left) views a model of the Getty Villa at Sutton Place, his home in England, in 1971. The Getty Research Institute, Institutional Archives

Our History

Today, the J. Paul Getty Trust is one of the world’s largest cultural and philanthropic institutions dedicated to the visual arts. Our work continues to advance the presentation, conservation, and interpretation of the world’s artistic legacy.

Getty was established by businessman and art collector J. Paul Getty (1892–1976). Mr. Getty viewed art as a civilizing influence in society and his bequest enabled the creation of the Trust.

Drawing upon Mr. Getty’s vision, early leaders of the Trust sought to establish an institution that served all facets of the art world, including research, display, conservation, publishing, grants, and education. The Trust constructed the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades and the Getty Center in Brentwood, expanded the collections of the Museum, and created the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Research Institute, and the Getty Foundation, forming the organization we now call Getty.

Explore facts about Getty today.

Timeline

  • 1953

    Mr. Getty establishes the J. Paul Getty Museum Trust (later renamed the J. Paul Getty Trust).

  • 1954

    Mr. Getty converts part of his Pacific Palisades ranch house into a museum so he can share his art with the public.

  • 1968

    With Mr. Getty’s collection outgrowing his ranch house, construction begins on a larger museum on his ranch property modeled after an ancient Roman villa.

  • 1974

    Getty Villa opens to the public.

  • 1976

    Mr. Getty dies at 83. His will leaves nearly $700 million (about three quarters of a billion by today's standards) to the Trust for “the diffusion of artistic and general knowledge.”

  • 1977

    First plan for the Getty Trust is developed, expanding it beyond a museum to encompass conservation, research, and education.

  • 1981

    Harold Williams is hired as first president of the J. Paul Getty Trust.

  • 1982

    The Getty Research Institute (GRI) is established. The Research Institute is dedicated to furthering knowledge and advancing understanding of the visual arts and their various histories.

  • 1984

    The Getty Foundation is established. Through strategic grant initiatives, the Foundation supports individuals and institutions advancing the understanding and preservation of the visual arts.

  • 1985

    The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) is established. The Conservation Institute works to advance cultural heritage conservation practice in the visual arts worldwide.

  • 1987

    Construction begins on the Getty Center, a 110-acre hilltop site in the Santa Monica Mountains with Richard Meier as architect.

  • 1992

    Robert Irwin is commissioned to create the Central Garden at the Getty Center, a 134,000-square-foot work of art that features more than 500 varieties of plant material.

  • 1997

    Getty Center opens to the public. The Center houses the free Getty Museum, the Getty Library, Getty Research Institute, Getty Foundation, and Getty Conservation Institute.

    Getty Villa also closes for renovation this year.

  • 2006

    Following a new expanded mission and renovations, Getty Villa reopens as a center for the study of the arts and cultures of antiquities.

  • 2007

    Stark Collection of contemporary and modern sculptures is installed at the Getty Center.

  • 2011

    Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA 1945-1980 launches. This unprecedented collaboration with over 40 art institutions explores the artistic legacy of postwar Southern California.

  • 2013

    Open Content Program launches, making public domain artwork in the Getty’s collections freely available for use.

    This year, Getty also awarded the first Getty Medal, the Trust’s highest honor recognizing extraordinary contributions to the arts.

  • 2014

    Getty Publications introduces its Virtual Library with 250+ titles freely available online. More books are added annually.

  • 2017

    Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA launches. This even larger collaboration with over 60 partners explores Latin American and Latino art.

  • 2021

    Getty Center celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Black and white photo of J. Paul Getty sitting in a tall chair in a grandiose room with wood panel walls, cathedral windows, and complex rugs and furniture

J. Paul Getty in his home, Sutton Place, 1964. © 1964 The Estate of Yousuf Karsh. Getty Research Institute

Black and white photo of a house nestled in natural undeveloped hills with brush and trees.

The Ranch House prior to renovation, between 1920 and 1945. The Getty Research Institute, Institutional Archives