Lucas Museum Lays Off 14% Staff to Secure 2026 Opening

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, has laid off 15 full-time employees, representing 14% of its staff, along with seven part-time workers, primarily from its education and public programming teams. The layoffs, described by some insiders as "shocking and chaotic," were part of a restructuring effort aimed at focusing resources to ensure the museum opens as planned in 2026 after previous delays. Notably, Bernardo Rondeau, the museum’s curator of film programs, was among those laid off and announced the news while attending the Cannes Film Festival. The museum emphasized that despite the cuts, education remains a central pillar, citing the proximity of Exposition Park to numerous schools and museums, and highlighted planned educational spaces within the museum’s design. Leadership changes have also taken place, with George Lucas now overseeing content direction and Jim Gianopulos serving as interim CEO following the departure of former director Sandra Jackson-Dumont. The museum stated the restructuring will allow teams to work more efficiently in preparation for the opening and that new strategic hires are anticipated ahead of 2026.