Full Breakdown
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Opens in Los Angeles
By Drooid · · How we work
Opening Day and Public Access
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opened to the public on September 22 after more than a decade of planning and construction. Located in Exposition Park, the 13-acre campus includes a free research library and offers free admission to residents of the surrounding zip code, a predominantly Hispanic and Black community. The founders emphasized that the institution is “for the people” and intended to leave visitors feeling that “anything is possible.”
Architectural Vision and Design
The building was designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects. Its white shell of 1,271 curved fiber-reinforced polymer panels hovers above a canopy, centered by a 56-meter arch that channels sunlight onto a public plaza. A roof-level pathway lets visitors walk along the curved surface to rooftop gardens, integrating the museum into the landscape.
Collection Focus and Narrative Theme
The permanent collection exceeds 40,000 works, ranging from cave paintings and ancient sculpture to comic art, illustration, photography, murals, and contemporary pieces. The inaugural exhibition displays more than 1,300 pieces across 33 galleries that explore universal myths such as motherhood, work, family, and love. While the Star Wars franchise accounts for roughly seven percent of the holdings, the majority features artists like Norman Rockwell, Jack Kirby, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Judith F. Baca.
Community Programs and Accessibility
Beyond free admission for local residents, the museum offers public programs, including free lectures, workshops, and a research library open to all.
Data & Statistics
- Construction cost: roughly $1 billion.
- Building size: about 300,000 sq ft (? 28,000 m²) across five floors.
- Campus footprint: 13 acres (some reports list 11 acres).
- Gallery space: over 9,300 m² with more than 30 exhibition rooms.
Official Statements & Responses
George Lucas framed the museum as a “narrative art museum” rather than a Star Wars showcase, emphasizing that it “is about telling stories.” Ma Yansong said the design seeks to “step back” from traditional monumentality, creating a “spiritual stronghold belonging to everyone.” Board member Steven Spielberg praised the venue for highlighting illustration, mural, and comic art that are often under-represented.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A picture is very powerful, and stories are very powerful,” — George Lucas
- “I don't like to do things that people think can be done. I'm fascinated by doing things that people say can't be done,” — George Lucas
- “No matter what you look at here, it's emotional,” — George Lucas
- “We're using the word myth a lot,” — Mellody Hobson
- “George has about three times the number of [Rockwell] paintings as I have,” — Steven Spielberg
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact campus size: promotional materials and several U.S. outlets describe a 13-acre site, while a Chinese outlet reports an 11-acre footprint. Both figures appear in official communications, and the discrepancy has not been clarified. The building’s square footage is consistently reported as roughly 300,000 sq ft, though metric conversions vary slightly. No further details on future exhibition programming have been provided.