Keeping It Modern

Modern architecture is one of the defining artistic forms of the 20th century. Set free from traditional structural requirements, architects and engineers used experimental materials and novel construction techniques to create innovative forms and advance new philosophical approaches to architecture.
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Today this modern architectural heritage is at considerable risk. The cutting-edge building materials and structural systems that define the modern movement were often untested and have not always performed well over time. Heritage professionals do not always have enough scientific data on the nature and behavior of these materials and systems to develop the necessary protocols for conservation treatment.
To address these challenges, the Foundation developed Keeping It Modern, an international grant initiative that continues our deep commitment to architectural conservation with a focus on important buildings of the twentieth century.
Since 2014, Keeping It Modern has supported 77 grant projects of outstanding architectural significance that contribute to advancing conservation practice. Current, active grants focus on the creation of conservation management plans that guide long-term maintenance and conservation policies, the thorough investigation of building conditions, and the testing and analysis of modern materials. The program teams participating in these projects are also spreading awareness of the need for research-based planning for modern buildings, and are themselves forming new international networks, aided by annual workshops in London made possible by Getty grants to the Twentieth Century Society.
The final Keeping It Modern architectural conservation grants for direct project support were awarded in summer 2020. Of the 77 project grants awarded to date, five have focused on implementation. Due to their excellence in prior planning and the quality of implementation, these projects have strong potential to serve as models for the conservation of other 20th-century buildings.
As a service to the field, technical reports from grant projects are made freely accessible online through the Keeping It Modern Report Library. The library is updated periodically with new reports as they are completed.
The Foundation created Keeping It Modern to complement the Getty Conservation Institute's Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative (CMAI). Two of the buildings supported to date by Keeping It Modern are directly related to CMAI.
Since 2014, Keeping It Modern has supported 77 grant projects of outstanding architectural significance that contribute to advancing conservation practice. Current, active grants focus on the creation of conservation management plans that guide long-term maintenance and conservation policies, the thorough investigation of building conditions, and the testing and analysis of modern materials. The program teams participating in these projects are also spreading awareness of the need for research-based planning for modern buildings, and are themselves forming new international networks, aided by annual workshops in London made possible by Getty grants to the Twentieth Century Society.
The final Keeping It Modern architectural conservation grants for direct project support were awarded in summer 2020. Of the 77 project grants awarded to date, five have focused on implementation. Due to their excellence in prior planning and the quality of implementation, these projects have strong potential to serve as models for the conservation of other 20th-century buildings.
As a service to the field, technical reports from grant projects are made freely accessible online through the Keeping It Modern Report Library. The library is updated periodically with new reports as they are completed.
The Foundation created Keeping It Modern to complement the Getty Conservation Institute's Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative (CMAI). Two of the buildings supported to date by Keeping It Modern are directly related to CMAI.
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Above: Louis Kahn, Salk Institute, 1965. Photo: Joe Belcovson for the Salk Institute of Biological Studies. Top: Sydney Opera House. Photo: Jack Atley, courtesy of Sydney Opera House Trust
Press Releases
July 31, 2017: The Bauhaus Building is One of the Twelve Recipients of Getty Foundation's 2017 Keeping It Modern Grants
June 24, 2015: Getty Announces Second Series of Grants to Conserve 20th-Century Architecture
September 16, 2014: The Getty Foundation Announces Major Philanthropic Initiative Focused On Conserving 20th Century Architecture
June 24, 2015: Getty Announces Second Series of Grants to Conserve 20th-Century Architecture
September 16, 2014: The Getty Foundation Announces Major Philanthropic Initiative Focused On Conserving 20th Century Architecture
News
July 31, 2017: Bauhaus Among 12 Modern Buildings to Receive Conservation Grants from the Getty Foundation
July 31, 2017: Getty Foundation's "Keeping it Modern" grants conservation efforts for twelve major works of 20th century architecture
July 26, 2016: Getty Foundation Announces 2016 Keeping It Modern grantees
July 28, 2015: How Gunny Harboe is Restoring Frank Lloyd Wright's Most Notable Works
July 3, 2015: Grant in Place to Help Restoration of Future NCC Pavillion
July 1, 2015: PU Gets $1.3 Lakh for Gandhi Bhavan's Resoration
June 24, 2015: Saving the 20th Century, New Getty Foundation grants for modern architecture
June 24, 2015: 14 Iconic Modern Buildings That Will Be Saved with the Help of the Getty Foundation
November 25, 2014: Rescue Plan for a Marooned Miami Stadium
October 8, 2014: Prestiżowy grant dla Hali Stulecia
September 20, 2014: Two stories for two Wright houses in Chicago
September 19, 2014: Getty Foundation Announces New Grants to Conserve Modern Architecture
September 19, 2014: Concrete issues: Sydney Opera House awarded grant to preserve iconic architecture
September 18, 2014: Miami Marine Stadium gets preservation grant
September 17, 2014: Getty Foundation launches effort to conserve modern architectural gems
September 17, 2014: Getty Foundation Announces Grants for 20th-Century Buildings
July 31, 2017: Getty Foundation's "Keeping it Modern" grants conservation efforts for twelve major works of 20th century architecture
July 26, 2016: Getty Foundation Announces 2016 Keeping It Modern grantees
July 28, 2015: How Gunny Harboe is Restoring Frank Lloyd Wright's Most Notable Works
July 3, 2015: Grant in Place to Help Restoration of Future NCC Pavillion
July 1, 2015: PU Gets $1.3 Lakh for Gandhi Bhavan's Resoration
June 24, 2015: Saving the 20th Century, New Getty Foundation grants for modern architecture
June 24, 2015: 14 Iconic Modern Buildings That Will Be Saved with the Help of the Getty Foundation
November 25, 2014: Rescue Plan for a Marooned Miami Stadium
October 8, 2014: Prestiżowy grant dla Hali Stulecia
September 20, 2014: Two stories for two Wright houses in Chicago
September 19, 2014: Getty Foundation Announces New Grants to Conserve Modern Architecture
September 19, 2014: Concrete issues: Sydney Opera House awarded grant to preserve iconic architecture
September 18, 2014: Miami Marine Stadium gets preservation grant
September 17, 2014: Getty Foundation launches effort to conserve modern architectural gems
September 17, 2014: Getty Foundation Announces Grants for 20th-Century Buildings
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