The agreement, under the auspices of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, was signed by French Consul General in Los Angeles Julie Duhaut-Bedos and Getty President and CEO Katherine E. Fleming at a ceremony at the French Residence in Beverly Hills on April 2.
“This agreement with the Getty acknowledges the important role that museums play in our French American conversation. Here in Los Angeles, it gives us a framework and a vision for our cooperation,” says Laurent Bili, ambassador of France to the United States.
The agreement outlines that Getty and the French Consulate will jointly promote Getty activities related to French culture and encourage opportunities for greater cultural exchange and cooperation with Villa Albertine, a residency program for French global creators, thinkers, and cultural professionals, as well as other programs of the Consulate.
“Getty has a long and meaningful relationship with the French Consulate in Los Angeles and has worked with esteemed institutions to bring France’s art and culture to local audiences,” says Katherine Fleming. “This agreement is a continuation of this commitment and a foundation for further collaboration as Getty expands its global reach and impact.” The agreement includes the joint promotion of Camille Claudel, the first major survey of the French sculptor’s work in nearly 40 years. Other activities include promotion of exhibitions of the work of painter Gustave Caillebotte (in collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay and the Art Institute of Chicago) and photographer Hippolyte Bayard, as well as Getty serving as host for “French Museum Next Gen,” Villa Albertine’s next generation curatorial cohort in Spring 2024.
The agreement builds on prior successful Getty and French Consulate cooperation promoting exhibitions such as La Surprise: Watteau in Los Angeles at the Getty Center.