George Lucas’ New L.A. Museum Offers Free Access for Local Neighbors

Los Angeles’ Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, set to open on September 22, has announced free annual passes and an exclusive preview for residents in South L.A.’s 90037 ZIP code. Developed by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson with a $1-billion investment, the 300,000-square-foot facility combines futuristic design with a vast collection of over 1,300 artifacts and 11 acres of landscaped grounds.

Interim CEO Tracey Bates highlights that the program ensures nearby communities, who have witnessed the museum’s eight-year development, are prioritized for entry. This initiative underscores the museum’s commitment to local engagement.

The 90037 ZIP code, home to over 17,000 households—40% of which are high-need—forms a diverse demographic largely composed of Hispanic and African American residents. Positioned at the northern edge of Exposition Park, the museum shares space with the California Science Center and the Natural History Museum.

Designed by landscape architect Mia Lehrer, known for SoFi Stadium, the museum’s outdoor areas are intended to become a communal asset. Bates notes, “Our public spaces are effectively their backyard, and we aim to create compelling reasons for them to explore.”

The museum’s holdings include Lucasfilm’s original archives, acquired after Disney’s 2012 $4 billion acquisition, alongside works by artists like Norman Rockwell, Frida Kahlo, and local artist Judith Baca, famous for her L.A. River mural.

This opening coincides with the closure of the Getty Center and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum for renovations, marking a significant cultural shift in the city’s arts landscape.

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