Getty Villa Reopening Around the Corner?

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — The Getty Villa could be reopening as soon as this month. Both the Villa and the larger Getty Center have been closed since March 14, 2020, but have begun planning their return to business as Los Angeles County continues to emerge from the pandemic.

"Over the past year that we have been closed, we have taken the opportunity to do conservation work with our collection and deep-clean the galleries," the Getty Villa said in a press release from March 15. Now that we have a timeline for reopening, we will finalize the installation of some galleries and eagerly move forward with our plans to welcome visitors."

The Villa hopes to welcome guests back starting mid-April, with the Getty Museum set to follow a few weeks later. Timed reservations will be in effect, and capacity will be limited to 50% as long as the county remains in the Orange tier of coronavirus restrictions.

The Getty Villa will celebrate the reopening with a special exhibition on Mesopotamia, which was set to open in March 2020 before the pandemic forced the Getty to close. The exhibit will focus on the time period between 3200 B.C. and 331 B.C., which was home to the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians.

"Mesopotamia—the land "between the rivers" in modern-day Iraq—was home to the ancient Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians," the Getty said. "Among their many achievements are the creation of the earliest known script (cuneiform), the formation of the first cities, the development of advanced astronomical and mathematical knowledge, and spectacular artistic and literary accomplishments."