Getty Prize Awarded to Hammer Museum’s Ann Philbin with $500,000 NPR Grant

Ann Philbin, director emeritus of the Hammer Museum, has been awarded the 2025 J. Paul Getty Prize for her transformative work in arts and culture over 25 years. As part of the honor, Philbin selected NPR to receive the prize's $500,000 pay-it-forward grant, which will be shared with its Los Angeles member stations KCRW and LAist to support arts and culture programming. Philbin praised NPR for its fearless journalism and essential coverage of the arts, especially during a time when free expression and diverse voices face significant threats. This grant comes amid proposed federal cuts to public broadcasting funding, including a $1.1 billion reduction advocated by President Trump, which could jeopardize local stations and community-based reporting. NPR’s president Katherine Maher emphasized the importance of public media in providing free cultural access and expressed gratitude for the community support represented by Philbin’s gift. The Getty Prize recognizes individuals who broaden public understanding of arts and culture, with Philbin credited for elevating the Hammer Museum into a globally respected institution known for innovative exhibitions and public programs.