Getty Announces Major Modernization Efforts to Enhance Visitor Experience, Accessibility, and Energy Resilience

The Getty Center is undertaking the most significant series of modernization initiatives since its 1997 opening—an investment designed to elevate the overall visitor experience, enhance accessibility, strengthen energy resilience and support the long-term stewardship of the site’s iconic campus.

To complete this work, the Center will temporarily close to the public beginning March 15, 2027, with reopening planned for spring 2028. During the closure, Getty will continue to collaborate on programs with partners across Los Angeles, the United States, and internationally, while offering more ways for audiences to engage with art and nature at the Getty Villa.

“Getty is embarking on an exciting new chapter,” said Katherine E. Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust. “Our mission has always been to make art accessible to our Los Angeles community and visitors from around the world. In the coming years, guided by our commitment to All for Art, we will enhance the visitor experience across the Getty Center campus through reimagined spaces and new offerings, while prioritizing sustainability. We look forward to welcoming visitors back in spring 2028, in time to celebrate the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and experience our more accessible, resilient, and dynamic campus.”

When the Getty Center reopens, visitors will experience several major enhancements, including:

• New ways to connect with art, from revitalized galleries to experiences that bring art in dialogue with nature, along with exciting new artist commissions.
• Improved accessibility and visitor orientation through upgrades to Getty’s iconic tram system, a redesigned arrival and departure experience, and new wayfinding support.
• A renovated Welcome Hall that serves as a central point for gathering and visitor information—with a new cafe bookstore and retail experience.
• Campus-wide improvements to buildings, public spaces, and utilities—including cell service and wi-fi connectivity—to align long-term stewardship and sustainability goals.

The first phase of improvements has already begun at the Getty Center, with some gallery closures to accommodate upgrades to the campus HVAC system. These upgrades will improve Getty’s energy efficiency and advance its broader sustainability commitments, including best practices related to collections environments that it has recently pledged to adopt alongside other Los Angeles and leading international cultural institutions. As this work moves forward, the galleries’ reinstallation projects will refresh and modernize our exhibition spaces to enhance the visitor experience.

Staying Connected at the Getty Villa

While the Getty Center is the primary focus of these modernization efforts, the Getty Villa remains an essential part of Getty’s mission and visitor experience. Throughout the Center’s closure, the Villa will continue to present a full schedule of exhibitions, public programs, and events, inviting visitors to connect with Ancient Greek and Roman art while enjoying the Villa's architecture, tranquil gardens, and scenic views. During this period, the Villa will also introduce new offerings for visitors, including a gallery featuring a selection of paintings from the Museum’s collection at the Getty Center, giving visitors the opportunity to experience beloved works of art in a new context while improvements at the Center are underway.

Expanding Community Engagement

Getty will continue working with partners in Los Angeles, across the United States, and around the world to support artists and cultural professionals, safeguard cultural heritage, and broaden public access to the arts. During the Center’s temporary public closure, Getty will open a new programming space on Sepulveda Boulevard in a building now under renovation across from the Getty Center. This venue will host a slate of special programs throughout the closure and will remain a dedicated program space once the Center reopens. Getty has also acquired a property in Westwood as a long-term investment in housing for its scholar programs. Early building concepts are underway for the site, which is located near the new planned Metro stop at Westwood and Wilshire. Additional details about all of these initiatives will be announced at a later date.

Upcoming Featured Exhibitions and Programs

From now through spring 2027, the Getty Center will continue to present a full slate of exhibitions and programs, including Saturday’s “Off the 405” summer concert series on select Saturday evenings beginning May 30; “Garden Concert for Kids” series beginning in August; the installation of “Portrait of Mai” by Joshua Reynolds, on view beginning Sept. 15, 2026; and exhibitions featuring works by 13 prominent Mexican photographers, 18th century paintings by British artist Joseph Wright of Derby, and recently acquired archive materials of quintessential Los Angeles architect Paul R. Williams. For additional information about upcoming exhibitions and programming, visit Getty’s “What’s On” page.

As these modernization efforts unfold, follow along with the latest updates and announcements.