Getty Center To Close For First Major Renovation

The world-renowned art museum will shut down for a year-long upgrade, its first since opening in 1997.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:07am

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An extremely blurred and abstracted scene of various artistic objects and architectural elements, rendered in soft, warm hues and pools of light, conceptually representing the immersive and contemplative experience of visiting an art museum.The Getty Center's upcoming renovation promises to 'reimagine' the museum's spaces and offerings, drawing even more visitors to experience its world-class art collection.Los Angeles Today

The Getty Center in Los Angeles will close its doors for the first time since its 1997 opening beginning March 15, 2027. After enhancements to the 110-acre property, the planned re-opening in spring 2028 will be in time for the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The $600-800 million renovation will include revitalized galleries, new art commissions, and upgrades to the iconic tram system that transports visitors up the Santa Monica Mountains foothills to the hilltop museum.

Why it matters

As one of the world's wealthiest and most prestigious art institutions, the Getty Center's closure for a major renovation is a significant event for the Los Angeles arts and culture scene. The upgrades aim to 'reimagine' the museum's spaces and offerings, potentially drawing even more visitors when it reopens in time for the 2028 Olympics.

The details

The renovation plans include revitalized galleries that 'bring art in dialogue with nature,' new art commissions, and improvements to the Getty Center's buildings, public spaces, and utilities. The iconic tram system that transports the majority of 1.8 million annual visitors up to the hilltop museum will also undergo a redesign of the arrival and departure experience.

  • The Getty Center will close on March 15, 2027.
  • The renovated Getty Center is scheduled to reopen in spring 2028, in time for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

The players

Getty Center

The world-renowned art museum located in Los Angeles, housing pre-20th-century European paintings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative art, and photographs.

Katherine E. Fleming

The president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, the organization that oversees the Getty Center.

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What they’re saying

“'Getty is embarking on an exciting new chapter. Citing one of its mottos, 'All for Art,' Fleming said spaces will be 'reimagined' and 'new offerings' will be created.”

— Katherine E. Fleming, President and CEO, J. Paul Getty Trust

What’s next

The Getty Center will remain open and continue its full slate of programs and exhibitions during the renovation. The Getty Villa in Malibu will also stay open and add a gallery featuring standout works from the Center's collection.

The takeaway

The Getty Center's first major renovation since its 1997 opening represents a significant investment in enhancing one of the world's premier art institutions. The upgrades aim to modernize the museum's spaces and offerings, potentially drawing even more visitors when it reopens in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.