The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens to the public Sept. 22 in Los Angeles’ historic Exposition Park, bringing together more than 40,000 works spanning centuries, cultures and mediums.
Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum explores the universal tradition of telling stories through images—from prehistoric cave paintings and murals to illustration, comics, photography and cinema.
And while the collection is the centerpiece, the museum’s striking architecture and event spaces give meeting and event planners another reason to take notice.
Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Ma Yansong of MAD with Stantec, the five-story, 300,000-sf museum houses more than 100,000 sf of gallery space across more than 30 galleries.
“I am deeply grateful to George Lucas and Mellody Hobson for giving me the opportunity to create a building that will faithfully serve the visitors and the art while being as light and free as a cloud, or a dream,” said Yansong, in a press statement.
Where Art Becomes the Event
For planners looking for an event setting with a strong visual identity, the museum offers a collection of spaces that can accommodate everything from executive gatherings and VIP dinners to galas, receptions, screenings and corporate programs.
The 10,000-sf North Lobby features floor-to-ceiling windows and direct access to the galleries, theaters and dining venues. Two state-of-the-art theaters can accommodate film screenings, keynote presentations and panel discussions, while a separate 10,000-sf event space features panoramic Los Angeles skyline views and built-in presentation technology.
Then there is the Sky Garden, a circular rooftop observation deck with 360-degree views stretching from Downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean—a natural setting for sunset receptions and networking events.
Smaller groups can use more intimate spaces, including the Research Library and Rain Fountain, for executive meetings, leadership gatherings, media events and private dinners.
Planners can also pair an event with private museum experiences, allowing attendees to explore exhibitions and the history of narrative art as part of the program.
“The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art was created to honor humanity’s stories and the artists who illustrate them,” said Lucas, in a press statement. “The artists in this collection didn’t just create images, they connected our modern imaginations with our ancient emotions—with common beliefs creating community. Their work spans genres, media, and time. They deserve to be in a museum.”
Beyond the galleries, the 13-acre campus includes the Park and Gardens, designed by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, with sculptures and new public green space for South Los Angeles. The museum also houses a free Research Library and Skywalker Grill, the destination restaurant.
The museum’s collection includes works by Norman Rockwell, Jessie Willcox Smith, Maxfield Parrish and N.C. Wyeth, alongside comics by Winsor McCay, Frank Frazetta, George Herriman, Jack Kirby and R. Crumb. The collection also includes murals by Judith F. Baca, JR and Diego Rivera; photography by Robert Capa and Gordon Parks; and paintings by artists including Artemisia Gentileschi, Frida Kahlo, Jacob Lawrence, Charles White and Robert Colescott.
Film and popular culture have a prominent place, too. The museum houses the complete Lucas Archives from 1971 to 2012, along with movie posters, documentaries featuring artists and filmmakers, and props and costumes from Star Wars.
