George Lucas’ proposal to build the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum beside San Francisco Bay is one of three finalists under consideration by the Presidio Trust. The winner will redevelop Crissy Field, now occupied by a sports apparel store.
Lucas’ proposed museum is expected to cost $250 to $300 million to build, which he would pay out of pocket and support with two separate $400 million endowments, one funded when the museum opens and the other when Lucas dies. It would house his extensive collection of popular art —
I want to create a gathering place where children, parents, and grandparents can experience everything from the great illustrators such as Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth and Maxfield Parrish, to comic art and children’s book illustrations along with exhibitions of fashion, cinematic arts, and digital art.
The prospectus for the museum [PDF file] contains many photos of items in the collection — including a Kelly Freas cover for Mad Magazine (page 9).
The other two finalists are The Bridge/Sustainability Institute [PDF file] and the Presidio Exchange [PDF file]. On June 17 more than 300 people attended a public forum and questioned representatives from the three groups. Finished proposals are due to be submitted to the Presidio Trust on September 16.
[Thanks to John King Tarpinian for the story.]
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For decades it was junk. But when someone rich puts up money to buy it or house it in a museum, it becomes Art. I may sound cynical — in fact, I am cynical — but it’s a move in the right direction. Someday there may be original Steve Stiles and Brad Foster in the Lucas art museum … and it will be far too valuable to be owned by any fan.