The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles is celebrating its first anniversary today (30 September) after selling more than 700,000 tickets in its inaugural year.
The museum is also marking the event with a special screening of The Wiz (1978), a Motown version of The Wizard of Oz (1939). The film was shown with a live orchestra accompaniment on the Academy Museum’s opening day last year.
Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said the Academy “could not be more thrilled with the success of our opening year”.
Since its founding, the Academy “has dreamed of opening a museum that would bring the artistry of filmmaking and the Academy’s unparalleled collection to the world”, said Kramer.
In its first year, the institution sold more than 700,000 tickets, presented 535 individual film screenings, and hosted 137 education and public programmes.
Additionally, the Academy Museum Store enjoyed a successful inaugural year, with more than $6 million in revenue from sales in-store and online.
“We are thrilled with the success we’ve seen in the museum’s first year and grateful for the warm welcome we have received from the communities of Los Angeles,” said Jacqueline Stewart, director and president of the Academy Museum.
Over the past year, the Academy Museum’s membership has grown to more than 24,000. Its website enjoyed 2.2 million unique visitors.
$6m in revenue from store sales
In addition to providing free admission to all visitors who are 17 years old or younger, the museum has given more than 3,500 free general admission tickets to residents of Los Angeles.
“Our exhibitions, screenings, education programs, store and restaurant have enabled us to engage and deeply connect with our visitors in a multitude of ways,” added Brendan Connell, Jr., chief operating officer and general counsel at the Academy Museum.
“We hope visitors will return again and again, because this year was just the beginning.”
Images: Academy Museum
