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Arts & Entertainment

James Cuno Named CEO of Getty Trust

The museum leader leaves the Art Institute of Chicago to accept new position.

There’s a valuable new acquisition arriving at The Getty Center this summer. His name is James Cuno, an accomplished leader in the arts, who will be taking the reins as president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust in August. 

Cuno currently serves as president of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he presided over the opening of the museum’s Modern Wing in 2009. His list of credentials include stints as director of the prestigious Courtauld Institute of Art in London, the Harvard Art Museums and the Gurnwald Center for the Graphic Arts at UCLA.

Cuno will oversee the four branches of the Getty, which include the Getty Center and The Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. A respected scholar, lecturer and museum leader, Cuno has also written several books, including Museums Matter: In Praise of the Encyclopedic Museum, which will be published in the fall.

"I am honored to have been invited to serve the Getty Trust as its next president and CEO,” Cuno said. “I have the highest regard for the many contributions the trust has made to the presentation, preservation and study of works of art and architecture in Los Angeles and around the world. There is no other institution like it. Its staff, facilities and collections are justly renowned and I look forward to working with the board and senior staff to advance the trust's important, groundbreaking work."

Cuno is no stranger to the Getty. He was a close friend of James M. Wood, the former head of the Getty, who passed away in June, 2010 (coincidentally, Wood came to the Getty after serving in the top spot at The Art Institute of Chicago).  Dr. Deborah Marrow, who has been with the Getty for over 25 years in various leadership roles, has been filling in as interim director. She will return to her position as director of Getty Foundation upon Cuno’s arrival.

"Jim Cuno is a longtime friend and a former Getty Foundation advisor. I look forward to welcoming him back to Los Angeles and to the Getty," Marrow said.

The Getty’s Board of Trustees chose Cuno after an extensive, year-long search that spanned the globe.  Mark S. Siegel, Board chair, stressed the need for choosing someone who understands the challenges of overseeing the world’s largest private arts institution.

“The Getty needs a leader with an understanding of all aspects of the visual arts, who is known and respected around the world for intellectual curiosity and achievement,” Siegel said. “But the Getty also needs an experienced executive who has the managerial and strategic skills needed to lead a complex organization.”

Cuno's arrival comes as at time when the Getty continues to weather accusations of possessing stolen artifacts.  In 2006, The Board of Directors strengthened their acquisition policy to uphold “the highest ethical standards, in compliance with all applicable laws.” Some disputed items have been returned to their country of origin, including Italy. In contrast, Cuno has often been critical of foreign government regulations regarding claims to ancient art.  However, he vows to maintain the Getty’s strict policies and has won the backing of the Getty’s Board.

“Jim's proven record gives our Board confidence that he, working with our outstanding management team, will be able to lead the Getty to ever greater accomplishments," said Siegel.

After departing his post in Chicago in June, Cuno plans a short vacation before integrating himself into the Getty Trust and its programs.

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