Mission and History

The Getty Conservation Institute works internationally to advance conservation practice in the visual arts—objects, collections, architecture, and sites. We serve the conservation community through scientific research, education and training, field projects, and disseminating information. In all our endeavors, we create and deliver knowledge that contributes to the conservation of the world's cultural heritage.

Our work is driven by the values of excellence, innovation, leadership, collaboration, and service.

We will be recognized as an independent, international center of excellence for cultural heritage conservation. We will be seen as a thought leader and innovator that deals with important issues and, through effective partnership, achieves long-term sustainable solutions in the service of the world’s cultural heritage. To achieve this, we will be an inspiring, creative work environment that encourages collaboration and interdisciplinary working.

We seek projects that address unsolved problems, have the potential for impact beyond a particular object or site, and will be sustainable in the long run. Success means that our work increases knowledge, provides new or improved analytical techniques and conservation strategies, and ultimately assists and serves those charged with the care of the world’s cultural heritage.

The Getty Conservation Institute was formed in 1985 as one of the original operating programs of the newly created J. Paul Getty Trust. Initially housed in temporary offices in Marina Del Rey, the Institute moved to its permanent home at the Getty Center in 1996.

Since its inception, the Conservation Institute has devoted itself to issues and areas of work that are underserved or of particular interest to the conservation field. It has evolved to meet changing needs, resources, and technologies, always emphasizing service to the greater conservation community.

In its forty-year history, the Institute has carried out architectural, archaeological, and other built-heritage projects in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North and South America. Staff have also conducted extensive scientific research on modern paints, plastics, outdoor sculpture, photographs, concrete, animation cels, plasters, earthen materials, and neon. The organization of workshops, symposia, short courses, and other practical training programs has also been key to the Institute’s work.

Today, the Institute is part of the worldwide ecosystem of heritage conservation, contributing to the collective goal of protecting and preserving the world’s cultural heritage through the education of conservators, establishment and implementation of policies, advocacy to save threatened places, scholarship to create new methodologies, and science to forge new treatments.