Image Source: NBC Los Angeles
George Lucas is preparing to welcome artists, filmmakers, philanthropists and the public to the long-awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles. The museum’s opening-night celebration is scheduled for Saturday, giving invited guests an early look before the five-story institution officially opens to the public Tuesday at Exposition Park.
Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, will host the celebration, which is expected to bring together prominent figures from entertainment, technology, sports and the arts. Museum representatives said the event will be co-chaired by Julie Bell, Tom Cruise, Guillermo del Toro, Greta Gerwig, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Jensen Huang, JR, Steven Spielberg and Pharrell Williams.
George Lucas Reveals a Landmark Museum of Storytelling
Founded by George Lucas and Hobson, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art covers approximately 300,000 square feet and is dedicated to visual storytelling across cultures, centuries and creative formats. Its exhibitions explore how people use images and stories to explain heroes, myths, family, love, fantasy, romance, adventure and community.
The museum includes more than 100,000 square feet of exhibition space spread across over 30 galleries. Its inaugural displays feature more than 1,300 pieces from the collection, creating an expansive introduction to narrative art and its influence on popular culture.
Visitors will find paintings, illustrations, photography, comics, murals and cinema-related objects. The collection includes works by Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, Frank Frazetta, Diego Rivera, Gordon Parks, Charles Schulz, Robert Crumb and Judith F. Baca.
A Powerful Opening Collection Spans Centuries and Media
The museum’s first-floor exhibition traces narrative art through thousands of years, beginning with heroes, sacred imagery and myths. Additional galleries examine emotional and cultural themes that connect historic works with modern storytelling.
One of the most anticipated attractions is “Star Wars in Motion,” an inaugural exhibition drawn from the Lucas Archives. It features concept designs, props and costumes connected to the first six Star Wars films.
- Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder
- The first physical build of General Grievous’ Wheel Bike
- Concept art and production designs from the original Star Wars films
- Costumes and props from the Lucas Archives
The cinema collection covers the complete Lucas Archives from 1971 to 2012, offering a detailed look at the creative development behind some of the most recognizable films in modern entertainment.
George Lucas Builds a Museum for Every Audience
George Lucas said the museum was created to honor humanity’s stories and the artists who bring them to life. He described the collection as a bridge between modern imagination and ancient emotions, with works that span genres, media and time.
Hobson said the goal was to create a museum unlike any other, where people from different backgrounds could enter the same doors and find stories that reflect their own lives and experiences. That broad mission is reflected in the museum’s mix of fine art, comics, film history and popular culture.
The building was designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects in collaboration with Stantec. Its curving exterior is covered with more than 1,200 individually shaped panels, while a central arch stretches 185 feet above a public plaza.
A New 13-Acre Destination in Exposition Park
The Lucas Museum is surrounded by a 13-acre park and gardens designed by landscape architect Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA. The site was previously an asphalt parking lot and has been transformed with more than 300 newly planted trees, an amphitheater, a meadow, a hanging garden and 10 monumental outdoor sculptures.
Beyond the galleries, the museum includes two theaters, a research library that is free to the public and Skywalker Grill, a full-service restaurant open to museum visitors and the general public.
The library holds more than 30,000 comic books, selected materials from Skywalker Ranch Library, approximately 3,000 art books donated by Steve Martin and Ann Stringfield, and more than 2,900 volumes from the personal library of writer and mythologist Joseph Campbell. Campbell’s work influenced George Lucas during the creation of Star Wars.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art open to the public?
The museum is scheduled to open to the public Tuesday following its private opening-night celebration on Saturday.
Where is the Lucas Museum located?
The museum is located in Exposition Park in Los Angeles.
What can visitors see at the museum?
Visitors can explore paintings, illustrations, photography, comics, murals, cinema exhibits, Star Wars props, costumes and concept designs.
Does the museum include outdoor attractions?
Yes. The museum is surrounded by a 13-acre park featuring gardens, an amphitheater, a meadow, a hanging garden, trees and outdoor sculptures.
Is the research library open to the public?
Yes. The research library is free to the public and includes comics, art books, Skywalker Ranch materials and Joseph Campbell’s personal collection.
