Getty Center

building, Los Angeles, California, United States

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July 22, 2026

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Getty Museum Exterior view of the Getty Museum at the Getty Center, Los Angeles, designed by Richard Meier, 1997.

The Getty Center is a significant cultural institution in Los Angeles, California, established by oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. It is one of two locations operated by the Getty Trust, the other being the Getty Villa. The Getty Center, designed by architect Richard Meier, opened in 1997 and houses a vast collection of European paintings, sculpture, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and international photography, primarily from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.12

The Getty Trust, a philanthropic foundation, also supports art conservation, research, and education through various institutes located at the Getty Center. These include the Getty Research Institute and the Getty Conservation Institute. The Getty Villa, in contrast, focuses on ancient art, including Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities.12

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Los Angeles
Museums
…Museum, with locations at the Getty Center in Los Angeles (designed by Richard Meier; 1997) and the Getty Villa in Malibu (opened 2006); and the three locations of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA; founded 1979)—MOCA Grand Avenue, designed by Isozaki Arata (1986), the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (1984), in…
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…Museum, with locations at the Getty Center in Los Angeles (designed by Richard Meier; 1997) and the Getty Villa in Malibu (opened 2006); and the three locations of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA; founded 1979)—MOCA Grand Avenue, designed by Isozaki Arata (1986), the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (1984), in…
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Richard Meier
…of his attention on the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Comprising six principal buildings that house the Getty collection and educational facilities, the centre is built of honey-coloured travertine complemented by aluminum panels. The multiple purposes of the complex—from public galleries to private study rooms—gave Meier a chance to explore…
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…of his attention on the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Comprising six principal buildings that house the Getty collection and educational facilities, the centre is built of honey-coloured travertine complemented by aluminum panels. The multiple purposes of the complex—from public galleries to private study rooms—gave Meier a chance to explore…
Read More

Getty Museum
Getty Center
…for the funding of the Getty Center (commonly called the Getty), a six-building complex designed by American architect Richard Meier in the Brentwood neighborhood. After years of planning, the Getty opened with great publicity in 1997.
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…for the funding of the Getty Center (commonly called the Getty), a six-building complex designed by American architect Richard Meier in the Brentwood neighborhood. After years of planning, the Getty opened with great publicity in 1997.
Read More