George Lucas Curates Exciting First Exhibitions at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has announced its inaugural exhibition schedule, curated by George Lucas, just ahead of its official public opening on September 22, 2026.
The upcoming exhibitions aim to delve into human history and the complexity of the human condition. Visitors can expect to see designs that inspired the museum’s architectural vision, extensive examinations of Americana, and significant works by artists such as Thomas Hart Benton and Norman Rockwell. The exhibitions will also explore themes encompassing childhood, family, play, and the dynamics of civic life.
The museum will showcase iconic figures in documentary photography, including Gordon Parks, Dorothea Lange, and Robert Capa. Historical narratives will come alive through large-scale public murals by renowned artists like Diego Rivera and Judith F. Baca, as well as influential representations of the American West.
Additionally, the exhibition will celebrate the realms of imagination through dedicated showcases of illustrations, sequential art, and cinema. Guests can expect a glimpse into the Lucas Archives, featuring an array of production designs, props, and costumes, alongside works by artists such as Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, and Georges Méliès.
The collection will highlight the golden age of illustration, featuring pieces by Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth, and Jessie Willcox Smith. It also promises to celebrate children’s literature through illustrations by Beatrix Potter, Leo Politi, and Jacob Lawrence. A notable tribute will be dedicated to graphic storytelling, incorporating influential works from Japanese manga and anime, as well as American and European comics by visionary creators like Jack Kirby, Alison Bechdel, Frank Miller, and Mœbius.
Situated in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park, the museum encompasses an expansive 11-acre campus designed to serve as a new cultural hub. The facility features a 300,000-square-foot building by architect Ma Yansong of MAD, with Mia Lehrer (Studio-MLA) responsible for expansive green spaces. Overall, the complex will house galleries, two theaters, a library, a restaurant, a café, a retail space, and community areas.
George Lucas’s vision for the museum emerged from a personal desire to house and showcase his extensive 40,000-piece art collection. He emphasizes the emotional resonance of art, stating, “It’s more about a connection and emotional connection with the work, not how much it cost or what celebrity did it. If you have emotional connection, it’s art. If you don’t, just move on to the next painting.”
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is poised to become an influential institution, fostering community engagement and an appreciation for diverse narratives through the lens of art and storytelling.
C-3PO and R2-D2 Outside of Jabba’s Palace c. 1981 Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
John Philip Falter, ‘Soda Fountain’ 1946
Chris Achilleos, ‘Eagle Warrior’ Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
