The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is taking shape in Los Angeles, ready for opening in 2026. The $1-billion brainchild of filmmaker George Lucas and his wife Melody Hobson resembles a starship that has landed in the city’s Exposition Park.
Designed by Beijing’s MAD Architects, first announced a decade ago and under construction since 2018, the five-storey, nearly 28,000-square-metre building is now nearing completion.
In the words of MAD, it appears to “float” above its 11-acre grounds, its sinuous elevated structure providing public areas of shade beneath, surrounded by gardens, footpaths, and trees. Its facade is made up of over 1,500 curved fibreglass-reinforced polymer panels and glass, with rainwater harvesting to supply irrigation systems and solar roof panels to reduce its energy burden on the grid.
Inside, it will showcase over 10,000 pieces of narrative art curated by Star Wars legend Lucas himself from his own private haul, and described by him as “one of the world’s most significant collections.” Lucas has spoken passionately about the project, saying, “This museum is a temple to the people. I’ve worked with hundreds of illustrators, and they’re all brilliant, but they don’t get recognized for anything.”
Featuring in the display will be comics, illustrations, moving images and film memorabilia, paintings, photographs, props, and sculptures, representing an array of narrative artists, including illustrators such as Norman Rockwell, muralists like Diego Rivera, photographers such as Dorothea Lange and important pieces by Frieda Kahlo, among others.
In addition to gallery spaces, the museum will comprise two cinemas, a library, glass lifts, a cafe, and restaurants, as well as a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views across the City of Angels.
The museum has described its design as “conceptualized to reflect Los Angeles’s vibrant pioneering spirit and embrace of its diverse inhabitants, representing a celebration of dialogue, understanding, and inclusivity,” adding that “It stands as a testament to the city’s vibrancy, history of innovation, and rich cultural tapestry.”
Peek behind the construction fence at our park and gardens, designed by @studio_mla, thanks to @latimes and @spectrumnews1socal 🌳🌾 pic.twitter.com/uq6gfnMTZf
— Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (@lucasmuseum) August 19, 2025
Noting that the museum will be a world first for narrative art, MAD said: “This project continues to take shape as a landmark that will welcome residents and visitors into a dynamic space where art, landscape, and community meet.”
In Exposition Park, southwest of downtown Los Angeles, the Lucas Museum is firmly positioning itself alongside cultural establishments, including the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California African American Museum, and the California Science Centre. The Exposition Park Rose Garden and EXPO Centre are also nearby.
