Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Set to Open in Los Angeles

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is preparing to open in Los Angeles, following more than a decade of planning and construction. The museum, founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, occupies a former asphalt parking lot in Exposition Park and is set to open in 2026.

The campus includes more than 30 art galleries, a sculpture garden, 13 acres of green space, and a free research library. Lucas, known for Star Wars and Indiana Jones, has collected art since his college years over 50 years ago. That collection now numbers more than 40,000 works.

At a media preview on September 2, Lucas said, "A picture is very powerful, and stories are very powerful. Those two elements create a society." Hobson, his wife since 2013, is a former chairman of DreamWorks Animation.

The collection spans cultures and generations, with works by Norman Rockwell, Frida Kahlo, Robert Crumb, Jim Davis, and Charles Schulz. Lucas calls the pieces the "people's art." The late Ernie Barnes, a former NFL player turned painter, is among the most heavily featured artists.

The museum's CEO, Tracey Bates, said every gallery and program was built with visitors in mind. The building, designed by architect Ma Yansong, is a 300,000-square-foot white structure inspired by the large trees of Exposition Park.

Landscape architect Mia Lehrer said of the gardens, "There is no single route through the gardens. Paths climb, descend, cross bridges, and embrace sculptures." The park features 10 outdoor sculptures, including Fernando Botero's Maternity.

The museum also includes two theaters, a restaurant, and a three-story research library. Fans of Lucas's films can find Star Wars and Indiana Jones props and recreations. Lucas said, "Narrative art creates a group of people with common belief systems, and that common belief system allows them to work together."