Unique gallery courses explore the fascinating world of art and ideas found in the Museum's collection and current exhibitions. Participants have the opportunity for close encounters with art through lecture and guided discussion.

Courses are designed for adults and taught by educators, curators, and scholars. Registration and tickets are required for all courses.

Enrich your Saturday nights. Join an open-ended discussion in the galleries to heighten your appreciation and understanding of the visual arts by exploring one masterpiece with an educator. The chosen work of art changes every session, making each visit a new experience. Course fee $25 per session (includes a food voucher and parking). Meet at the Museum Information Desk for course introduction.

Learn more about this program on our blog, The Iris.

Next in the series

A Masterpiece to Be Explored

Saturday, October 8, 2016
6:00–8:00 p.m.

Novice and seasoned museumgoers are invited to fully experience works of art in the Museum's collection. Educators direct discussion and the study of select masterpieces. Each course includes up to four thematically linked sessions, which take place once a month, usually on a Saturday morning. Attend a single class or the whole series.

Recently in the series

The Erotic Male: From Classical Antiquity to Mapplethorpe

Sunday, April 17, 2016
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Getty Center, Boardroom and Museum galleries
Tickets $35; complimentary parking, refreshments will be provided.

A toned athletic body and remote gaze have signaled elite masculine beauty and sexual allure for thousands of years. Discover with educators Shelby Brown and William Zaluski the social and sexual contexts of posed and perfected classical nude sculptures, and explore their ultimate influence on the nude and portrait photography of Robert Mapplethorpe.

Enjoy an afternoon at the Getty Villa exploring the antiquities collection, gardens, and ancient architecture. Course fee varies.

Recently in the series

Bacchus Uncorked: Wine and the Divine

Saturday, August 20, 2016
4:00–7:00 p.m.
Getty Villa Founder's room and galleries
Tickets $75; Complimentary parking, must be at least 21 years of age.

Celebrate an ancient Roman wine festival with an afternoon of art and wine at the Getty Villa. The vinalia was a summer harvest ritual honoring Jupiter and Venus. Start with a tour of selected artworks to explore wine and the divine, and discover why Bacchus was not the only god honored by ancient lovers of the grape. Then enjoy a tasting of wines related to ancient vintages with advanced sommelier and wine instructor Giammario Villa. Hors d'oeuvres served.

The Naked Olympic Games:
2500 Years Ago

Saturday, July 30, 2016
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Getty Villa Meeting Rooms and galleries
Tickets $35; complimentary parking, refreshments will be provided.

Got Olympics Fever this summer? Add some culture to your conversations with a visit to the Getty Villa. Return to the Greek origins of the games with educator Shelby Brown to discover the similarities and weird differences between the events now and then (naked ultimate fighting—really)! Then tour the galleries to see athletes in ancient art.

Fabulous Floors: Making Roman Mosaics

Sunday, July 10, 2016
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Getty Villa Meeting Rooms and galleries
Tickets $35; Complimentary parking, refreshments will be provided.

Explore with scholar Will Wootton the practices of mosaic artisans who made the "stone carpets" on the floors of wealthy Romans, and contrast mosaicists' skills with those of sculptors and others working in stone. Then visit the galleries and the exhibition Roman Mosaics Across the Empire to look closely at details of topics and techniques.

Bad Men, Monsters, and Misfits

Saturday, April 30, 2016
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Getty Villa
Tickets $35; Complimentary parking, refreshments will be provided.

A successor to the course "Bad Women, Wives, and Witches," this class explores the misbehavior of males in classical mythology, from the horrifying deeds of husbands and lovers to the literally monstrous acts of hybrid beings. Compare the gendered rules for men and women, then tour the galleries with educator Shelby Brown.

Lust and Libation: Wine and Sex in the Ancient World

Saturday, February 13, 2016
4:00–6:30 p.m.
Getty Villa
Tickets $75; includes parking. Must be over 21 years of age; explicit images may be shown.

Celebrate the feast of St. Valentine with an afternoon of art and wine at the Getty Villa. Start with a tour of selected artworks with educator Shelby Brown to discover the age-old connection of passion and the grape. Then enjoy a tasting and discussion of wines from Italy and Greece—the heart of classical antiquity—with advanced sommelier and wine instructor Giammario Villa. Hors d'oeuvres served.

This inaugural gallery course is offered as part of "Bacchus Uncorked," an occasional series of public programs exploring art, wine, and cultures of the ancient Mediterranean.

See all upcoming courses and demonstrations on our event calendar.