Lucas Museum Opens in LA: A $1B 'Spaceship' for Visual Storytelling

Key points

• The $1 billion, 300,000-square-foot museum in Exposition Park opened to the public on Sept. 22, 2026.
• George Lucas and co-founder Mellody Hobson personally greeted the first 100 visitors, who were students from local institutions.
• The museum features 33 galleries and approximately 1,300 artworks, with only about 7% dedicated to Star Wars.
• Skywalker Grill, a rooftop restaurant, opened simultaneously, serving a New American menu using ingredients from Skywalker Ranch.
• Admission is $25 for adults, with free access for residents of the 90037 zip code via the LM37 pass program.

Background

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a long-delayed project, opened after nearly 17 years of development and eight years of construction. Previous attempts to open in San Francisco and Chicago failed, and Los Angeles was chosen in 2017. The museum aims to celebrate visual storytelling across various media, moving beyond a Star Wars-centric focus.

How outlets are covering it

The California Post highlights the museum's grand opening and its mission to honor visual storytelling, noting the personal involvement of Lucas and Hobson. Eater Los Angeles focuses on the new Skywalker Grill, emphasizing its New American menu and the difficulty of securing reservations. The Washington Post offers a critical perspective, questioning the museum's definition of 'narrative art' and its minimal contextual labeling, suggesting it may prioritize spectacle over historical or ethical depth.

Why it matters

The opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art marks a significant cultural event in Los Angeles, introducing a major new institution dedicated to visual storytelling. Its unique approach to art and its high-profile restaurant, Skywalker Grill, are likely to attract significant public interest and influence the local arts and dining scenes.

What to watch

The museum will remain open six days a week, with standard admission at $25. Skywalker Grill will continue to operate, with more reservations expected to become available in the coming weeks. The museum's impact on the local arts community and its reception by critics and the public will be closely watched.