Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Opens in Los Angeles With Star Wars, Fine Art and More
The long-awaited Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is officially opening to the public in Los Angeles on Tuesday, September 22, bringing George Lucas’ vision for a museum centered on visual storytelling to life after years of planning and construction.
Located in Exposition Park, the museum combines art forms that are not always displayed together — from paintings and photography to comic books, manga, illustration, cinema and artifacts from the world of Star Wars.
Founded by filmmaker George Lucas and business leader Mellody Hobson, the museum is designed around a broad idea of “narrative art”: images and visual works that tell stories, communicate ideas and reflect human experiences.
The opening is driving fresh interest in the museum today because September 22 marks its public debut, following a star-studded opening celebration in Los Angeles over the weekend.
A Museum Built Around Storytelling
The Lucas Museum is not intended to be solely a Star Wars destination.
Its collection spans thousands of years of visual storytelling, with works ranging from historic art to modern illustration, comics and cinema. The museum says its permanent collection contains more than 40,000 works.
The inaugural exhibitions bring together artists and creators including Vincent van Gogh, George Bellows, Jacob Lawrence, Norman Rockwell, Frida Kahlo, Charles Schulz, Jim Lee, Frank Miller and Diego Rivera.
The museum also explores genres such as fantasy, romance and adventure, alongside galleries devoted to comics, manga, graphic novels, photography and murals.
That mix is part of what makes the opening notable: popular visual culture and traditionally recognized fine art are being presented within the same institution.
Star Wars Gets a Major Place in the Museum
For Lucasfilm and Star Wars fans, one of the most anticipated parts of the museum is the inaugural cinema installation, Star Wars in Motion.
The exhibition draws from the Lucas Archives and focuses on land vehicles featured in the first six Star Wars films.
The museum’s broader collection also includes cinematic materials from Lucas’ career, meaning visitors can encounter the filmmaking history behind the franchise alongside artwork from other periods and cultures.
The result is a museum where Star Wars is an important attraction without defining the entire institution.
The Building Is Part of the Experience
The museum itself is designed to stand out.
Architect Ma Yansong of MAD created the building with a sweeping, futuristic form that has been compared to a floating structure or cloud. The museum contains about 300,000 square feet of space, including more than 100,000 square feet dedicated to galleries.
The surrounding 13-acre campus includes new gardens and public green space designed by Mia Lehrer and Studio-MLA.
Inside, visitors will also find two theaters, a research library, educational spaces, a retail store, a café and the Skywalker Grill restaurant.
Why the Lucas Museum Is Trending Now
The timing is straightforward: the museum is opening to the public today after years of anticipation.
Lucas and Hobson announced in November 2025 that the museum would open on September 22, 2026. The institution has spent the months leading up to today’s opening revealing exhibitions, its film program and other visitor experiences.
A private opening celebration on September 19 also brought numerous Hollywood figures to the museum, generating additional attention in the days immediately before the public opening.
Now, the focus shifts from previews and celebrity arrivals to the museum’s actual public debut.
A New Los Angeles Destination
The Lucas Museum joins the collection of major cultural institutions in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park, giving the area another large-scale arts and entertainment destination.
Its concept is broader than a traditional art museum. By placing fine art, illustration, comics, cinema and popular culture together, the museum is built around the idea that storytelling through images has existed across cultures and eras.
For visitors arriving today, that means the experience can range from historic artwork and classic illustration to comic art and one of the world’s most recognizable science-fiction film franchises.
After years of development, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is no longer a future Los Angeles project. It is open to the public as of September 22, 2026.
FAQs
What is the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art?
It is a Los Angeles museum founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson focused on visual storytelling across art, illustration, comics, photography, cinema and other media.
When did the Lucas Museum open to the public?
The museum opened to the public on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Where is the Lucas Museum located?
It is located in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, California.
Does the Lucas Museum have Star Wars exhibits?
Yes. Its inaugural cinema installation, Star Wars in Motion, draws from the Lucas Archives and focuses on vehicles from the first six Star Wars films.
What else can visitors see at the Lucas Museum?
The museum includes fine art, illustration, comic books, manga, graphic novels, photography, murals and works from artists including Frida Kahlo, Norman Rockwell, Vincent van Gogh and Diego Rivera.
