The J. Paul Getty Trust 2010 Report

This annual report is dedicated to the memory of James N. Wood, third president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, who unexpectedly passed away on Friday, June 11, 2010. Jim was appointed the Getty’s chief executive in late 2006 after a worldwide search. He was exactly what the Getty needed.

Even as we continue to reflect on Jim’s accomplishments, the board of trustees has begun the process of searching for his successor. The executive committee has been given the responsibility for the search, which will conclude only when the board agrees the best candidate has been recruited. The board wishes to extend its gratitude to Deborah Marrow, director of the Getty Foundation, who has agreed to serve as interim president and CEO. Deborah’s steady leadership and deep expertise will ensure a smooth transition.

As it prepares for the transition to come, the board revisited the strategic plan adopted three years ago and reconfirmed its belief that the current structure, which consists of the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Research Institute, the Getty Conservation Institute and the Getty Foundation, working under the direction of a chief executive officer of the Trust, is the best structure for an organization with the Getty’s scope and reach. The board also made clear the importance it places on the Museum’s and the Research Institute’s continued ability to grow their collections. The Major Acquisitions and Strategic Initiatives Fund has allowed for significant additions by both programs, highlighted by the Museum’s acquisition last July of Joseph Mallord William Turner’s Modern Rome–Campo Vaccino, a brilliant example of the Museum’s strategy to raise the overall quality of the permanent collection by the selective acquisition of world-class masterpieces.

During the last fiscal year the Getty programs continued to launch major new initiatives, many of which demonstrate the increasing collaboration among the Foundation, Conservation Institute, and Museum, including the Panel Paintings Initiative and Mosaikon, focused respectively on the conservation of panel paintings and archaeological mosaics in the Mediterranean region. Additionally, the Research Institute, in partnership with the Foundation, expanded its focus beyond Europe to Asia and Latin America to advance the study of the history of art in these regions, helping to extend the Getty’s international reputation for scholarship.

Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945–1980, an initiative of the Getty in collaboration with art institutions throughout Southern California, continues to grow, now with over 60 arts venues involved. We have begun the countdown, and we look forward to the opening of Pacific Standard Time exhibitions in October 2011 that will substantiate the region’s importance as a major art center during the post-World War II period.

The board wishes to thank Louise Bryson for her 12 years of service as a member of the Getty’s board, and especially for her work these past four years as the board’s chair. Louise has been a tireless supporter of the Getty and its programs. She led the recruitment of six new board members, and during a time of great transition, presided over the adoption of significant changes to the Getty’s governance procedures as well as the approval of a number of important new initiatives.

We also want to thank David Bomford for his service as acting director of the Museum following Dr. Michael Brand’s resignation last January, and Joan Weinstein for serving as interim director of the Foundation during Deborah’s time as CEO. The trustees also are grateful to the other program directors, officers and the Getty’s outstanding staff for their continuing excellent work.

Let me conclude with a tribute to Jim Wood. I join each of the Getty’s trustees in expressing our gratitude for his service. Jim’s legacy is a financially stronger, more collaborative, more focused Getty, in which we all can take pride.

While this legacy is a testament to his executive abilities, we will remember Jim most importantly as a kind and decent human being. Jim went out of his way to make the art he loved accessible to the widest range of people. He valued the work of all staff members regardless of rank. Jim never needed to be flashy or showy to gain attention or recognition, perhaps a reflection of his New England roots. Jim’s high standards were, and continue to be, reflected in all that the Getty does.

Sincerely,

Mark S. Siegel, Chair
Board of Trustees
J. Paul Getty Trust