April 22, 2021

Dear Getty Community,

The day we have been waiting for has arrived! Yesterday, we reopened the Getty Villa to the public. I write to thank everyone who has worked so very hard to prepare our collections, buildings, grounds, digital products and communications for this happy milestone.

I was at the Villa last week to welcome staff and volunteers, and again yesterday to welcome the public. I was joined there by colleagues from across the Getty. Time and again I heard colleagues greet each other warmly, telling tales of their time away and of their delight in being back to site. And I saw the joy experienced by members of the community who were able to take in the beauty and inspiration of the Villa at long last. It was a sign of a return to normalcy for everyone.

I saw our security officers doing an excellent job of advising everyone to be socially distant and safe. Our food service is back in action with delicious treats. The gardens were colorful and immaculate, with the herb garden undergoing a major renovation. I downloaded and successfully used the beautiful new Getty Guide app, which enhances the entire visit experience with recorded comments and observations by Villa staff. And I witnessed the launch of our new ticketing system for the public to smoothly make reservations, and our new Visit Web site to provide thorough instructions and information.

There were plenty of television news crews, radio and other media on hand to document your success. Our communications team captured the reopening in this video. From the outside, it all appeared professional and polished. I know that over the past months, it has involved the hard work of so many of you behind the scenes to make it all come together. I thank you all so very much for all you’ve done and are doing to reopen the Villa.

I hope you all get a chance to visit the Villa in the coming weeks while the Mesopotamia exhibition is on view there. For months we feared it would have to be returned to our partner, the Louvre, before it could be shared with the public. But the Louvre’s high regard for our professionalism encouraged them to extend the loan of objects many months after they were to have been returned.

And, of course, we can look forward to repeating this success with the reopening of the Getty Center on May 19 to our staff and volunteers, and to the public on May 25.

Congratulations everyone and thank you for everything you do to share our good work with the broader public.

All best wishes,

Jim

James Cuno
President & CEO
J. Paul Getty Trust