Lucas Museum of Narrative Art faces lawsuit ahead of grand opening

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is preparing for its official opening on September 22 following a decade of planning and $1 billion in development costs. The 300,000-square-foot facility, designed by Ma Yansong, will feature over 30 galleries dedicated to visual storytelling, ranging from prehistoric art to cinema and comics.

Leading up to the opening, the museum has scheduled various preview events for members, community partners, and local residents. An inauguration celebration on September 19 is expected to be co-chaired by prominent figures including Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, and Greta Gerwig.

However, the institution is facing legal challenges. A subcontractor, J. E. Snyder Electric, has filed a lawsuit alleging the museum should be classified as a ‘public work’ rather than a private non-profit. The suit claims the museum bypassed specific California labor and contract mandates by labeling itself private, despite receiving public funds and a 99-year land lease from the California Science Center for just $30 annually. The museum has refuted these allegations.