At the Comic-Con event, George Lucas presents the upcoming Lucas Museum, asserting he is unlike conventional art enthusiasts.
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Set to Open in Los Angeles in 2026
At Comic-Con 2022, George Lucas previewed the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a museum dedicated to celebrating narrative storytelling across cultures and eras. The museum, scheduled to open in Los Angeles in 2026, will showcase pieces from Lucas's personal 50-year art archive, including works by artists such as Norman Rockwell and Frida Kahlo, and original comic art like early Black Panther and Iron Man drawings.
The museum's campus, designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD, will span 300,000 feet and feature 33 galleries, two theaters, a retail space, a restaurant, a cafe, a library, and an event venue. The campus will also include 11 acres of green space, designed by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA.
George Lucas emphasized the museum's mission to honor illustrators who often lack recognition and inspire future generations of artists. The museum describes narrative art as "created to represent stories through images." Lucas views narrative art as a means to express shared societal beliefs, create community, and influence societal development.
Lucas's longtime collection of Norman Rockwell includes the iconic 1943 painting Freedom from Want. Lucas described his approach to art collection as emotional and personal, rather than focusing on market value or celebrity.
The museum's founding collection consists of more than 40,000 works that Lucas has amassed over more than five decades. Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro and production designer Doug Chiang were panelists alongside Lucas at Comic-Con 2022. Del Toro commended Lucas for the museum's inclusivity of various art forms, particularly those that have been historically overlooked, like comics. Del Toro described the museum as having a "flow" and that "we are [collectors], but I know I don't own anything."
Lucas's wife, Mellody Hobson, and he have been on our website's Top 200 Collectors list since 2020. This was Lucas's first public appearance related to the museum since Sandra Jackson-Dumont stepped down as director and CEO in February. Queen Latifah served as moderator for the panel.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art aims to be a "temple to the people's art," focused on building communities and celebrating stories, mythology, and any kind of art that affects people. The museum is set to open its doors to the public in Los Angeles in 2026.
- The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, opening in Los Angeles in 2026, will showcase a mixture of narrative art, including works by artists like Norman Rockwell and Frida Kahlo, original comic art, and paintings.
- George Lucas, the founder of the museum, views narrative art as a means to express shared societal beliefs, create community, and influence societal development.
- The museum's mission is to honor illustrators who often lack recognition and inspire future generations of artists, including those from pop-culture like comic book artists.
- In Comic-Con 2022, celebrities such as Guillermo del Toro commended the museum's inclusivity of various art forms, particularly those that have been historically overlooked, like comics, making it a significant contribution to entertainment and pop-culture.
