The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, US, which is set to open to the public in 2026, has announced the current director and CEO Sandra Jackson-Dumont will step down on 1 April 2025.
The museum, co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, released a statement saying:
“Sandra’s decision to move on from the role was based on the new organizational design to split the current role into two positions. George will be responsible for content direction.
“Jim Gianopulos, the former chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures, will be assuming the role of CEO for an interim period while we conduct a search for a permanent CEO. Additionally, Jim will have an ongoing role as a Special Advisor to the founders.
“Jim is a world-class operations executive with a remarkable track record of success spanning across many decades. We are grateful for Jim’s willingness to take the helm and help guide the institution as we near its completion and opening.”
Transformative leadership
The museum praised what it called Jackson-Dumont’s transformative leadership over the past five years as the new institution prepares to open.
“Her dedication to advancing narrative art and realizing our vision has helped lay the groundwork to establish the museum as a vital cultural resource for Los Angeles and a future destination for those who will visit from around the world. Sandra has helped create an institution that will serve and inspire generations to come.”
Jackson-Dumont joined the museum in October 2019, following five years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In 2020, she appointed six women to senior leadership positions, including five people of color.
Located on an 11-acre campus, the five-storey, 300,000-square-foot building will display all forms of narrative art. It was designed by architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect.
The museum will be home to galleries, two state-of-the-art theatres, and dedicated learning and engagement spaces, as well as dining, retail, and events spaces. The collection ranges from ancient Roman mosaics to Renaissance paintings to modern photography. It includes paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustration and the arts of filmmaking.
See also: 15 of the best new museums for 2025
