George Lucas reveals the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will open on September 22, celebrating artists and their stories.
George Lucas, the celebrated creator of the Star Wars franchise, announced the official opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, set for September 22 in Los Angeles. Lucas made this revelation during a surprise appearance at a press preview for the museum, emphasizing the complex journey leading to its completion.
Lucas described the extensive challenges he faced while bringing the project to life, stating that it “almost broke my will.” The creator attributed these difficulties to the long process of acquiring necessary approvals and navigating bureaucratic hurdles over the past 17 years. According to The Hollywood Reporter, this includes failed attempts to establish the museum in San Francisco and Chicago before finally securing a location in Los Angeles in 2017.
The museum is a monumental project, co-founded by Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, with a projected cost of approximately $1 billion. Construction began in 2018 but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues. Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, the innovative design of the museum has been compared to a spaceship, a cloud, and even a tree canopy. It features a five-story, 300,000-square-foot building surrounded by a 13-acre landscape of gardens and public gathering spaces.
Lucas remarked, “We still had to deal with bureaucracies and people who have contrary thinking, but we managed to make our way through all that.” The museum will highlight a diverse range of narrative forms, showcasing both classic art and popular imagery, aiming to break down traditional boundaries seen in art institutions.
The museum will open with over 1,300 objects from its extensive collection of more than 40,000 works—celebrating artists from various disciplines and cultures. Notable pieces include works by Frida Kahlo, Norman Rockwell, and Banksy. The exhibition will also feature a star attraction, the Star Wars in Motion showcase, where visitors can see significant artifacts from the franchise, including costumes and models.
Lucas described the facility as “a temple to the people’s art,” stressing its mission to honor illustrators and artists who create visual interpretations of stories, myths, and shared human experiences. The museum’s design includes organized galleries that thematically group works around topics like love, adventure, and science fiction.
The museum's ethos reflects a commitment to inclusivity, with general admission set at $25, while those aged 17 and younger will enjoy free entry. Local residents within the 90037 ZIP code can benefit from the LM37 pass for free admission. Hobson characterized the institution as "by the people, for the people," highlighting efforts to expand access to art and narrative culture.
Lucas concluded his remarks with an acknowledgment of the potentially contentious relationship he shares with media, stating, “I just do what I feel I have to do.”
The opening of the Lucas Museum marks a significant milestone not only for Lucas but also for the Los Angeles art community, promising to engage audiences with a wide array of artistic expressions that mirror societal values and narratives.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art represents a new cultural landmark in Los Angeles, emphasizing the importance of narrative and visual art across societal constructs. The project’s troubled development underscores the challenges facing large-scale cultural institutions today, particularly in a post-pandemic world. Audience reaction and community engagement will be crucial in determining the museum’s success, but its commitment to showcasing diverse narrative art forms has the potential to attract a wide audience.
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