Los Angeles is buzzing with the opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

George Lucas Museum Debut: Los Angeles is buzzing with the long-awaited official opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, showcasing vast collections of visual storytelling and cinematic history. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art officially opened its doors to the public on September 22, 2026. Co-founded by iconic filmmaker George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, this massive project took nearly 16 years to move from concept to realization. Located across from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles's historic Exposition Park, the institution redefines how pop culture, cinematic arts, and fine arts coexist under one roof.

"The Spaceship" in the Park

Designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, the 300,000-square-foot building features a striking, white, curved facade. While locals and critics often compare its fluid, organic silhouette to a futuristic starship, the architect noted his design was actually inspired by a cloud floating smoothly over the landscape. The massive structure is enveloped by 13 acres of newly designed public parkland and gardens conceptualized by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA.

Inside the collection: Blending high art with pop culture

The facility features over 100,000 square feet of gallery space distributed across 30 to 35 dedicated rooms. Rather than arranging art chronologically, the galleries are organized by universal human experiences — such as community, childhood, work, and adventure. The museum houses more than 40,000 works of art from Lucas’s personal collection, tracking the history of visual storytelling. Masterpieces from legendary fine-art painters are hung right alongside the pillars of comic book illustration and visual cinematic media:

Fine Art & Murals: Works by Frida Kahlo, Norman Rockwell, Vincent van Gogh, Diego Rivera, and Judy Baca.

Comic & Illustration Masters: Deep collections showcasing comic strips and graphic art legends like Jack Kirby, Winsor McCay, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, and Peanuts creator Charles Schulz.

The Lucas Archives: A monumental dedicated Cinema Gallery featuring original costumes, props, storyboards, and concept designs from the Star Wars and Indiana Jones universes—including iconic character pieces like C-3PO and R-2D2.

Beyond the Galleries

Visitors to the museum campus can also enjoy two state-of-the-art cinemas hosting regular narrative film screenings. A massive dedicated research library. The Skywalker Grill, a rooftop restaurant offering panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline and Exposition Park. Public garden sculptures: The surrounding outdoor park area features native California flora and narrative art installations depicting famous pop culture characters like Yoda and Princess Leia. Entry to the outer 13-acre gardens and the rooftop grill area is entirely free to the public, requiring no museum admission tickets.