Los Angeles’ Upcoming George Lucas Museum

The George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art broke ground in March, beginning a 36-month construction of a five-story building home to art and film collections, as well as dining, lecture and theater venues. What is now a parking lot will be transformed into 11 acres of museums and garden (including the rooftop), bringing thousands of jobs to the area.

The futuristically designed museum might not be entirely dedicated to all things Star Wars, but rather the spirit of the saga, the values and storytelling tradition displayed throughout Lucas’s fictitious universe. Its plan is to combine traditional high art with pop art from up-and-comers, including filmmakers, an aspect that will make it stand apart from other museums in the area.

“The focus of the Museum is to open up people’s imaginations and inspire them to dream beyond what is considered possible,” said Lucas. “Narrative art and storytelling stirs our emotions, shapes our aspirations as a society and is the glue that binds us together around our common beliefs.”

“The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will be an architectural wonder, a cultural treasure and a center of storytelling and creativity at the heart of a reimagined Exposition Park,” added Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Of course, Star Wars fans won’t be completely disappointed. Lucas donated several Star Wars memorabilia pieces to be on display, including Luke Skywalker’s first lightsaber and Darth Vader’s helmet. Other items from Lucas’s personal collection set to display include Norman Rockwell paintings and classic Hollywood memorabilia from films such as The Wizard of Oz and The Ten Commandments.

Already, the museum made its first publicized acquisition, in April, of Norman Rockwell’s “Shuffleton’s Barbershop,” 1950.