After an unsuccessful struggle to open an art museum in his home state of California, filmmaker George Lucas has signed a deal with the city of Chicago instead.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will be located in Chicago's Museum Campus, a park along Lake Michigan that includes several of the city's significant museums.
"Choosing Chicago is the right decision for the museum, but a difficult decision for me personally because of my strong personal and professional roots in San Francisco," Lucas said Tuesday in a statement. "I thank all Californians who reached out to me in support of the museum."
The museum, which is expected to open in 2018, will be dedicated to the art of telling of stories visually. It will trace the evolution of the visual image from illustration to film, with the hope of inspiring future generations of artists, writers, and filmmakers.
"George Lucas has revolutionized the art of storytelling over the last four decades and we are honored to be the recipient of this incredible legacy investment that will allow everyone to learn about and experience narrative arts," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. "No other museum like this exists in the world, making it a tremendous educational, cultural and job creation asset for all Chicagoans, as well as an unparalleled draw for international tourists."