The wait is nearly over for one of the most anticipated cultural openings in recent memory. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a passion project from Star Wars creator George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, has officially announced it will open its doors to the public on 22 September 2026.
A Visionary Landmark Takes Shape
First unveiled to the public back in 2014, the museum has been a decade in the making. With a staggering price tag of $1 billion, the institution is poised to become a major bucket-list attraction in Los Angeles's Exposition Park. The building itself is a spectacle, described by its designers, MAD Architects, as appearing to "float" above the ground. Its spaceship-like, futuristic form is a sight to behold, deliberately designed without a single right angle.
The 300,000-square-foot structure is set within expansive landscaped grounds featuring trees, gardens, and public walkways. But the real treasure lies inside. The museum will house over 10,000 pieces from George Lucas's own personal collection, forming what is billed as one of the world's most significant assemblies of narrative art.
An Unparalleled Collection for the Public
The 81-year-old Lucas has personally curated a vast and diverse collection dedicated to the art of storytelling. Visitors can expect to see an incredible range of works, including:
- Paintings and illustrations by masters such as Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, and Maxfield Parrish.
- Comic art from legends like Jack Kirby, Robert Crumb, and Frank Frazetta.
- Powerful murals by Judith F. Baca and Diego Rivera.
- Photography from Dorothea Lange and Carrie Mae Weems.
- Seminal pieces by iconic artists including Frida Kahlo and Artemisia Gentileschi.
The museum will also be the home for major cinematic archives, most notably the entire Historic Lucasfilm Archive covering the years 1971 to 2012.
More Than Just Galleries
Spanning five storeys, the visitor experience is designed to be immersive and multifaceted. The interior will boast extensive gallery spaces, two cinemas (including a 299-seat theatre), and glass elevators. For research and quiet contemplation, there will be a library. Guests can also enjoy a café and restaurants, before taking a glass elevator up to a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline.
Mellody Hobson, co-founder of the museum, has emphasised its populist ethos. "This is a museum of the people's art," she stated. "Our hope is that as people move through the galleries, they will see themselves, and their humanity, reflected back." This statement underscores the museum's mission to make narrative art accessible and meaningful to everyone when it opens in September 2026.
