Getty Announces Ann Philbin as its 2025 Getty Prize Winner

The J. Paul Getty Trust announced today it has named Ann Philbin, director emeritus of the Hammer Museum, the recipient of its annual Getty Prize for her internationally-recognized work in the arts and culture field. Philbin has chosen NPR as the recipient of the Getty Prize’s accompanying $500,000 pay-it-forward grant. Getty funding will be shared amongst NPR and its Los Angeles Member stations KCRW and LAist to support arts and culture programming.

Established in 2013, the Getty Prize is the institution’s highest honor and recognizes cultural leaders whose work expands human understanding and appreciation of arts and culture. Notable past recipients have included Frank Gehry, Thelma Golden, and Mark Bradford. Since last year, the award enables the recipient to then recognize the work of an arts or educational non-profit organization with a $500,000 grant from Getty. Nominations are reviewed and awardees determined by the Getty Trust Board of Trustees.

“Annie Philbin is a powerhouse in the art world. She completely transformed the Hammer Museum into an internationally recognized institution that elevates artists of all disciplines and backgrounds, and which continues to be at the vanguard of powerful exhibitions and programs centered on the most important issues of our time,” says Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust. “Having spent many years working in both Los Angeles and New York, and with longstanding relationships with artists and organizations around the world, she is widely known as a passionate advocate for the arts and a champion for the freedom of expression.”

As director of the Hammer Museum at UCLA for 25 years, Philbin built a renowned exhibition program, a strong and distinctive institutional identity, and an international reputation for scholarly excellence and cutting-edge programming. Major programs launched during her tenure include the acclaimed Hammer Projects series showcasing young and emerging artists and the museum’s signature Made in L.A. biennial. Under her leadership, the museum developed a robust calendar of over 300 free annual public programs spotlighting provocative and creative thinkers. She also completed a $180 million expansion and renovation that added 40,000 square feet of gallery, administrative, and public space. The museum now functions as a lively cultural center in one of the most creative cities in the world, with free admission for all.

Philbin was previously director of The Drawing Center in New York for nine years where she introduced the work of hundreds of emerging artists through its much-lauded viewing program as well as curated and presented major contemporary and historical drawing exhibitions. Philbin serves on the boards of the Foundation for Arts Initiatives (FfAI) and the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2020.

“I am humbled to accept the Getty Prize, which has honored so many inspiring agents of change for the arts in Los Angeles and beyond,” says Philbin. “To be able to award NPR as the recipient of the $500,000 grant is a thrill. In addition to their in-depth coverage of the arts and culture, they represent the epitome of fearless and essential journalism in a time when threats to free expression and the suppression of diverse voices is rampant. We love them and need them!”

“This generous grant supports one of the unique and founding purposes of public media—to provide Americans with free access to cultural programming through a cooperative network of local public radio stations,” says Katherine Maher, president and CEO of NPR. “NPR and Member organizations like KCRW and LAist exist to serve communities. There is no greater recognition or validation of that work than when a member of the community chooses to give back to the mission of public media, and it is especially meaningful at this moment.”

Philbin, NPR, KCRW, and LAist will be celebrated at the annual Getty Prize dinner on September 29, 2025, at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

“LA has long been a global geographical center for arts and culture, and reflecting the people and spirit of our communities is at the core of public radio’s mission,” says KCRW president Jennifer Ferro, “We’re so grateful for this support and thrilled for the opportunities it will create to further invest in public interest programming for the people of this city.”

“Our mission to strengthen the civic and cultural bonds that unite Southern California's diverse communities is deeply important to me,” says LAist president and CEO Alejandra Santamaria. “At this time when public media is being threatened, we at LAist are grateful for the generous support from Anne Philbin. She understands the value of our coverage and the communities we aspire to serve.”

Other past Getty Prize awardees include Harold M. Williams and Nancy Englander, who were recognized for their leadership in creating Getty as it exists today, along with Ed Ruscha, Ellsworth Kelly, Agnes Gund, Yo-Yo Ma, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Lorna Simpson, and more.