Lucas Museum Coming to Chicago

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Director/producer George Lucas poses for portrait in Las Vegas
Director/producer George Lucas poses for portrait in Las Vegas

Last week's announcement that the city of Chicago's bid to become the location for filmmaker George Lucas’ Museum of Narrative Arts, sparked a flurry of enthusiastic comments from locally elected and other officials who chimed in on George Lucas’ decision. Lucas' vote of confidence was a major victory for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the city, which competed against San Francisco for the museum.

San Francisco made a big push for the museum, according to the Associated Press, with banners that read "George Lucas, please build your museum in San Francisco for the world to enjoy," but the efforts were to no avail.

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George Lucas bypassed his fee for directing Star Wars, instead opting to have the licensing rights for Star Wars products and 40% of box office net. This brought in hundreds of millions of dollars for him. All other studios passed on Star Wars while 20th Century Fox took a chance on them. Of course it paid off. Big time.

"George Lucas has revolutionized the art of storytelling over the last four decades and we are honored to be the recipient of this incredible legacy investment that will allow everyone to learn about and experience narrative arts," said Mayor Emanuel. "Like Marshall Field, John G. Shedd and Max Adler before him, George's philanthropy will inspire and educate for generations. No other museum like this exists in the world, making it a tremendous educational, cultural and job creation asset for all Chicagoans, as well as an unparalleled draw for international tourists."

Pending approval by the Chicago Plan Commission, Lucas' museum is expected to be built on what are now parking lots between Soldier Field and McCormick Place and is expected to open in 2018.

Gary Johnson, president of Chicago History Museum, and President, Museums in the Park Association said, "The leaders of Chicago's museum community are thrilled to welcome the Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts.  Chicago today has tremendous cultural and architectural assets, vibrant neighborhoods and parks, and a lakefront setting that is second to none.  What Chicago needs are new reasons for the world to come and discover us.  Adding more unique world-class attractions like the Lucas Museum can do just that by putting our city in a new category for tourism.  The Lucas Museum will activate more interest in the city's other assets and add jobs to our economy. We look forward to welcoming a new member to our museum community."

Gillian Darlow and Kurt Summers, co-chairs of the Lucas Site Selection Task Force, weighed in saying, "Chicago is a city of storytellers, a city that treasures arts and culture, and a city defined by bold visions. Since the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the city has been home to many of the most important cultural institutions in the country. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will add a world-class attraction to Chicago's lakefront, elevate Chicago's profile as a global city, and provide new educational opportunities for our youth. The ambitious project will turn acres of asphalt into a stunning structure surrounded by newly created green space—improving the lakefront while reaffirming the principles that have made it a treasure for generations. We are thrilled that the museum has chosen Chicago as its home and we look forward to seeing it develop as a model for how museums can engage and inspire in the 21st century."

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