Lucas Museum, worth $1 billion, co-founded by Mellody Hobson and George Lucas, is now open.

Mellody Hobson has always been one to take big risks. And now, the accomplished business leader is taking on her biggest bet yet: the opening of a $1 billion cultural institution aimed at revolutionizing the way people experience art. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, co-founded by Hobson and her husband, the renowned filmmaker George Lucas, officially welcomed its first visitors on September 22nd in Los Angeles' Exposition Park.

With a whopping 300,000 square feet of space, the museum boasts over 100,000 square feet of galleries spread across 30 different rooms. The grand opening of the museum was a star-studded event, with A-list celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Queen Latifah, Samuel L. Jackson, Tyler Perry, Spike Lee, Michael B.

Jordan, and Magic Johnson in attendance. Winfrey and Jackson even narrated a spectacular drone show showcasing images from the museum's extensive collection, followed by a performance by Will.i.am. But beyond the glitz and glam, the museum holds a deeper significance for Hobson.

As the former chair of Starbucks, she has poured years of hard work into creating an institution that celebrates visual storytelling in all its forms - from illustrations and comics to paintings, murals, and film-related art. This vision also reflects the couple's commitment to promoting access to culture and education, as seen in their efforts to preserve the historic EBONY and JET archives and their generous $10 million donation to Spelman College for arts education, according to TheGrio. In a statement posted on the museum's website, Hobson, who currently serves as president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments, shared, "We wanted a museum unlike any other - one that welcomes people from all walks of life through its doors.

That's why our collection showcases such a diverse range of stories, so that anyone who enters can see themselves and their world reflected back. This sense of recognition is what we hope to offer through this museum." Lucas, the mastermind behind the iconic Star Wars franchise, has described the museum as a challenge to traditional definitions of fine art. Its collection brings together works that may not typically share space in a museum, including illustrations, comics, photography, and cinematic art.

"The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art was created to honor humanity's stories and the artists who bring them to life," said Lucas. "These artists didn't just create images; they connected our modern imaginations with our ancient emotions and beliefs, creating a sense of community. Their work transcends genres, media, and time, and deserves to be showcased in a museum." Designed by architect Ma Yansong, the museum sits on a sprawling 13-acre campus that also includes beautiful gardens, public gathering spaces, and an impressive collection of over 40,000 works.

The institution's mission is to explore how visual stories can bridge cultural and generational divides. Yansong, the brains behind the museum's stunning design, expressed his gratitude to Lucas and Hobson for entrusting him with the task of creating a building that harmoniously blends art and architecture. "My goal was to create a structure that not only serves the visitors and the art but is also as light and free as a cloud or a dream," he said.

"With its fluid design, the building seamlessly merges with the landscape of Exposition Park, inviting everyone to embark on a journey of discovery and become a part of the Lucas Museum's story."