Los Angeles Enters 'New Golden Age' for Museums
Los Angeles is reportedly on the cusp of a "new golden age" for museums, driven by a wave of new construction and major expansions. High-profile projects include the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, the reimagined Hammer Museum, and significant renovations at LACMA and MOCA, all aimed at enhancing the city's cultural infrastructure.
The investment fueling this boom totals well over $2 billion, headlined by George Lucas's $1 billion personal funding for his new museum and LACMA's $750 million campaign for its David Geffen Galleries. The Broad is adding another $100 million for its own expansion, signaling a massive private and public capital infusion into the city's arts infrastructure. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects, is set to open on September 22, 2026. Its 300,000-square-foot, futuristic building will sit on an 11-acre campus in Exposition Park, housing a collection ranging from Norman Rockwell paintings to *Star Wars* storyboards. LACMA's new David Geffen Galleries, from Pritzker Prize-winner Peter Zumthor, are slated to open in April 2026. The project, which bridges Wilshire Boulevard, has been contentious for replacing four older buildings and has faced criticism over its cost and design, which includes all-concrete interior walls. The Hammer Museum's multi-year transformation, led by architect Michael Maltzan, recently concluded, adding 60% more gallery space and a new sculpture garden. In downtown L.A., The Broad is embarking on a 55
