LA College Students Take Over The Getty Center for Sensory Art and Music Festival

Free food, DJ sets, and after-hours access to the Getty Research Institute headline this Monday's massive student event.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:04am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged geometric shapes in striking red and white, conceptually representing the sensory art and music festival at the Getty Center.The Getty Center's annual 'College Night' festival brings LA students together for a night of immersive art, music, and hands-on creativity.Los Angeles Today

College students across Los Angeles will descend upon the Getty Center this Monday, April 13, for an expansive 'College Night' takeover featuring sensory tours, graffiti masterclasses, and after-hours gallery access. The free event, running from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., will offer students a night of art, music, hands-on activities, and behind-the-scenes access to the renowned museum.

Why it matters

The Getty Center's 'College Night' is an annual tradition that provides LA's student community with a unique opportunity to engage with art and culture in an immersive, after-hours setting. This year's event aims to highlight the intersection of visual arts, performance, and sustainability through a diverse lineup of programming.

The details

The evening's highlights include a self-guided sensory tour featuring scent strips developed by The Institute for Art and Olfaction, live graffiti demonstrations by LA legend Prime, and performance art pieces by CalArts artist Gabrielle Civil. Students can also participate in hands-on activities like figure drawing, postcard-making, and upcycled collage stations. The Getty Research Institute building will host film screenings, themed stations, and free popcorn.

  • The 'College Night' event takes place on Monday, April 13, 2026.
  • The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The players

Prime

A legendary LA graffiti artist who will demonstrate the 'LA Style' of geometric block letters and calligraphic influences.

Gabrielle Civil

A CalArts artist who will present her performance piece, 'Black Weirdo School,' with lectures at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 p.m.

Heather Joseph-Witham

An Otis College professor who will lead activities inspired by the course 'Paranormal L.A.'

Peter Zokosky

An artist who will lead live figure drawing sessions for students.

The Institute for Art and Olfaction

The organization that developed the scent strips for the self-guided sensory tour of the Getty's permanent collection.

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What’s next

The Getty Center's 'College Night' is an annual event, so students can look forward to a similar sensory art and music festival next year.

The takeaway

The Getty's 'College Night' provides LA students with a unique opportunity to engage with art, music, and culture in an immersive, after-hours setting, highlighting the intersection of visual arts, performance, and sustainability through a diverse lineup of programming.