Unlike any other, according to Mr. Lucas, this is the first museum of its kind that will offer "an unprecedented collection that features fine art and popular art from illustration to comics, an insider's perspective on the cinematic creative process and the boundless potential of the digital medium."

While Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will become home to George Lucas's highly valuable personal art collection that extends far beyond Star Wars props and memorabilia (it also includes, for example, original paintings from Edgar Degas and Pierre-Auguste Renoir), it's primary goal is to introduce the history of storytelling in a unique, all-encompassing way, through a broad range of media, including oral, written, performed and visual. "Narrative art is visual art that tells a story. It manifests itself in every kind of medium, in every culture, in every form that you can imagine," explained Don Bacigalupi, Founding President of Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. 

Celebrating the power of visual storytelling in a setting focused on narrative painting, illustration, photography, film, animation and digital art, visitors will be invited to enjoy the original works in popular mediums such as illustration, children's art, comic art and photography from many periods and cultures. Furthermore, they will be able to explore "all facets of cinematic art and its design processes, including original concept art, storyboards, set design, props, costume and fashion, animation and visual effects."

In a press release, the Board of Directors at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art stated that they are "pleased to announce plans to build the museum in Exposition Park in Los Angeles.We have been humbled by the overwhelmingly positive support we received from both San Francisco and Los Angeles during our selection process. Settling on a location proved to be an extremely difficult decision precisely because of the desirability of both sites and cities."

The museum is a gift of the Lucas family, hence its construction, collection and endowment will be fully funded by Mr. Lucas and his family. It is expected to open in 2021.