The force is finally with Los Angeles. After a protracted and very public search that pitted American cities against one another, filmmaker George Lucas has chosen the City of Angels as the permanent home for his highly anticipated Museum of Narrative Art.
The decision brings to a close a dramatic saga that saw potential locations in San Francisco and Chicago ultimately fall by the wayside. The museum, which will be funded entirely by Lucas's personal £1.5 billion fortune, promises to be a transformative cultural institution for Southern California.
A Treasure Trove of Storytelling Art
The institution will be far more than a repository for Star Wars memorabilia. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is conceived as a serious exploration of the art of storytelling across centuries and mediums. Its vast collection will feature everything from traditional paintings and illustrations to digital art, concept drawings from the world of cinema, and an unparalleled collection of popular art.
Visitors can expect to see works by iconic illustrators like Norman Rockwell and N.C. Wyeth, alongside pre-production artwork from legendary films. The museum's mission is to break down the artificial barriers between so-called "high" art and popular art, celebrating the power of visual storytelling in all its forms.
An Architectural Landmark for Exposition Park
Planned for a prime site in the city's renowned Exposition Park, the museum will be a landmark in its own right. The design, by renowned Chinese architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, features a futuristic, flowing structure that appears to rise organically from the landscape. The building itself will become a part of the narrative it seeks to showcase.
The location places it in the heart of Los Angeles' cultural corridor, alongside major attractions like the Natural History Museum, the California Science Center, and the soon-to-open Lucas's own Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. This clustering is expected to create a powerful draw for both tourists and local residents.
A Lasting Legacy Beyond Star Wars
For George Lucas, this project represents a philanthropic capstone to his incredible career. Rather than focusing solely on his cinematic achievements, the museum is a gift aimed at inspiring future generations of artists, filmmakers, and storytellers. By making admission free for children, Lucas ensures the museum will be accessible to all, cementing his legacy not just as a master storyteller, but as a pivotal patron of the arts.
