The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a 300,000-square-foot building, has opened in Los Angeles next to the University of Southern California campus. Founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, the museum was reportedly bankrolled with $1 billion.
The institution aims to tell the story of narrative art across human history, from cave paintings to comic books. Lucas stated his belief that artists whose works are part of everyday life deserve to be elevated to the level of old masters.
Exhibits include a 1940 self-portrait by Frida Kahlo, an early Van Gogh, a Picasso sketch, and Charles Schulz's original Peanuts illustrations. The museum also features a gallery dedicated to Frank Frazetta and, at its opening, a "Star Wars in Motion" exhibition with vehicles like Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder.
CEO Tracey Bates noted that Lucasfilm archives constitute seven per cent of the museum, with plans to rotate the gallery featuring film vehicles to celebrate other cinema makers. The museum's architect, Ma Yansong, stated he was inspired by clouds above Los Angeles and shares a taste for science fiction with Lucas.