After nearly a decade of development, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is set to open on September 22 in Exposition Park, South Los Angeles. Founded by filmmaker George Lucas, known for creating the "Star Wars" franchise, the museum aims to celebrate storytelling through visual art across a wide range of forms and genres.
Occupying 13 acres and roughly 100,000 square feet of gallery space, the museum features more than 1,300 objects displayed in 33 galleries. While recognizable elements from Lucas's "Star Wars" universe are present—including a Naboo N-1 Starfighter in a lobby, Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder in the cinema gallery, and a statue of Yoda on the grounds—these account for only about seven percent of the exhibits. The broader collection emphasizes narrative art as a universal form of storytelling through images, highlighting works from the 20th century and beyond.
The museum's holdings encompass a mix of traditional and popular culture artworks. Visitors can see Norman Rockwell’s depictions of everyday American life, Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits, Diego Rivera murals, and illustrations from children’s literature featuring characters like the Cowardly Lion and Winnie-the-Pooh. The collection also includes examples of fantasy art from "The Lord of the Rings" and "Conan the Barbarian," graphic art and comic strips such as "Alley Oop"—the first piece Lucas ever acquired—and manga displayed along a sweeping curved wall. A gallery devoted to public art features large-scale murals by artists including Judith F. Baca and French street artist JR.
Museum leadership, including CEO Tracey Bates and business partner Mellody Hobson, emphasize their mission to spotlight illustrators and narrative art, a field often overlooked by traditional art institutions. Bates describes the museum as more populist and accessible, aiming to appeal to a broad audience with an appreciation for storytelling in all its forms.
The building itself, designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD Studio, features an elliptical oculus and glass elevator tubes, intended to evoke futuristic imagery while drawing inspiration from natural elements like tree canopies and clouds. Surrounding outdoor spaces include parks and gardens curated by landscape architect Mia Lehrer, with native Southern California plantings and ten large sculptures, including one depicting Princess Leia overcoming Jabba the Hutt.
Despite the anticipation surrounding its opening, the museum has faced both skepticism and organizational challenges. Critics have questioned the artistic mission as narrowly focused or overly populist, and the project has experienced multiple leadership changes in recent years, including the departure of its founding director and several senior executives. George Lucas currently oversees content direction, and a former film executive serves as interim CEO. The museum declined to disclose its annual operating budget but aims to sustain itself through admission fees—$25 for adults—and membership packages starting at $140, as well as revenue from its gift shop.
Located near other cultural institutions and accessible by public transit, the Lucas Museum is positioned to become a notable part of Los Angeles’s growing arts landscape, particularly with the 2028 Olympics approaching. Whether the museum will establish itself as a professional cultural institution or continue to be viewed primarily as a personal legacy project remains to be seen.