George Lucas Considers Chicago for Art Museum
- April 10, 2014 23:14
Art collector and billionaire filmmaker George Lucas is looking at Chicago as a place to house his vast collection of fine art and movie memorabilia after plans for a museum in San Francisco's Presidio have faltered.
Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel is said to be creating a task force of community leaders to identify potential sites and a proposal is in the works for the Lucas museum.
Married to Chicago investment executive Mellody Hobson. Lucas is reported to be worth $5 billion. He has amassed a collection of American art, including many iconic works by Maxfield Parrish and Norman Rockwell.
"The city of Chicago has enthusiastically welcomed me and I consider Chicago to be my second home," Lucas said in a statement. "I look forward to working with community leaders to see if Chicago can become home to the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum."
Lucas had wanted a spot by Crissy Field in San Francisco's Presidio for his musuem, where it would overlook the bay and Golden Gate Bridge. The city rejected his offer, and others, and came up with another location within the Presidio, a national park, that Lucas is considering.
Lucas has been wooed by Chicago's Emanuel in recent months along with other cities. He and Hobson have given $25 million each to local causes in Chicago in the past year.