Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

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Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Academy Museum logo.svg
The May Company Building 2021.jpg
The Saban Building, a restored 1939 Streamline Moderne May Company building (2021)
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Established2021 (2021)
Location6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Coordinates 34°3′48″N118°21′39″W / 34.06333°N 118.36083°W / 34.06333; -118.36083
Type Motion picture history
Collection sizeover 13 million objects
Architect Renzo Piano
Kulapat Yantrasast [1]
Owner Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Public transit access LAMetroLogo.svg LACMTA Circle D Line.svg Wilshire/Fairfax (2025)
Bus-logo.svg 20 Bus-logo.svg 720
Website www.academymuseum.org
The Sphere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in March 2021. The Sphere Academy Museum 2021.jpg
The Sphere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in March 2021.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a film museum opened in 2021 located in Los Angeles, California, United States. The first large-scale museum of its kind in the United States, [2] [3] the Academy houses more than 13 million objects from notable films, and is dedicated to the history, science, and cultural impact of the film industry.

Contents

The museum is located in the historic May Company Building at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, [1] part of Museum Row on the Miracle Mile. It is overseen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), and administers the Academy's archives.

History

Originally expected to open in 2020, its completion and opening was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [3] The museum eventually opened to selected celebrity guests on September 25, 2021, [4] and to the public on September 30. [5] [6]

The museum's first temporary exhibition was dedicated to the legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki, offering an extensive display of his work and celebrating his remarkable contributions to cinema. [7] [8] [9]

In April 2020, the museum opened the exhibition featuring costumes from the Debbie Reynolds, and her costume conservation studio. [10]

Soon after its opening in September 2021, the museum attracted criticism for a perceived lack of focus on Jewish industry pioneers such as Carl Laemmle and Jack Warner, as first reported by Sharon Rosen Leib in The Forward . [11] [12] Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt expressed his disappointment, stating "I would've hoped that any honest historical assessment of the motion picture industry — its origins, its development, its growth — would include the role that Jews played in building the industry from the ground up". Rolling Stone, Bill Maher and Bari Weiss also raised the issue. [13] [14] [15] In January 2022, the Academy Museum announced plans to create a permanent exhibit dedicated to Jewish industry pioneers. [16]

In September 2021 the museum hosted it's inaugural gala, which is the major fundraising event that supports its programing, exhibitions and educational initiatives. [17]

On July 14, 2022, the museum voluntarily recognized Academy Museum Workers United as the bargaining representative for 160 of its employees. [18]

Design

The design of the museum was overseen by Italian architect Renzo Piano. The exterior of the May Company building, dedicated as the Saban Building following a $50 million donation from Cheryl and Haim Saban, [19] was refurbished with new limestone, as well as new gold leaf tiles for its corner "cylinder". [20]

The Saban Building's lobby includes two exhibit areas, the Spielberg Family Gallery and the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery. [21] [22] [23] The Shirley Temple Education Studio will be devoted to workshops on filmmaking, and include a collection of items and memorabilia from Shirley Temple's career. [24]

A spherical structure was built as an extension of the main Saban Building, connected via skyways, which features the glass-domed Dolby Family Terrace. The museum features two theater halls that will be used for film screenings, programming, and other special events; the 1,000-seat David Geffen Theater in the Sphere, and the smaller, 288-seat Ted Mann Theater in the lower level of the Saban Building. [23] [25] [26]

Academy Museum Gala

Academy Museum Gala is conducted every year to raise funds by public display of cinematic experience that includes showing filmmaking process in a raw form, or showing history of cinema. [17]

The 2021 Academy Museum Opening Gala honored Haile Gerima and Sophia Loren as well as Academy Museum Campaign Leaders Annette Bening, Bob Iger, and Tom Hanks. [27]

The 2022 Academy Museum Gala honored Julia Roberts, Miky Lee, Sir Steve McQueen, and Tilda Swinton. [28]

The 2023 Academy Museum Gala honored Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, and Sofia Coppola and raised $10 million. [29]

The 2024 Academy Museum Gala celebrated the acclaimed museum’s third anniversary and honored Academy Award-nominated actor Paul Mescal; Academy Award-winning actress, singer, and dancer Rita Moreno; and Academy Award-winning writer and director Quentin Tarantino. [30]

The 2025 Academy Museum Gala honorees were Oscar-winning actress Penélope Cruz, Director Walter Salles, Oscar-winning musician Bruce Springsteen and actor and comedian Bowen Yang. [31]

Collections

The Academy holds more than 13 million objects including costumes, costume sketches, film reels, posters, props, and screenplays dating back to 1927. [1] In May 2020, the museum purchased the May Queen dress worn by Florence Pugh in Midsommar (2019) for $65,000, as part of a charity auction held by A24 to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts. [32]

Some key objects in the Museum's collection include: [33] [34] [35]

Exhibitions

The second and third floors of the museum will feature the opening exhibition "Stories of Cinema". [38] The inaugural temporary collection of the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery was devoted to Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. [2] [39] The exhibition opened on September 30, 2021, and was on view until June 5, 2022. This was the first time Miyazaki’s work was featured in a major retrospective in the United States. The collection also displayed pieces on public view for the first time outside of Japan. [40]

The 11,000-square-foot exhibition features more than 300 objects, including original image boards, character designs, storyboards, layouts, backgrounds, posters, and cels. The exhibition’s curators, Jessica Niebel and assistant curator J. Raúl Guzmán worked with Studio Ghibli and the Ghibli Museum in Japan to gather all the materials. There are interactive installations displayed throughout the exhibit, the “Mother Tree,” Skyview, and Magical Forest, to name a few, each inspired by a different Miyazaki Film. [41]

After the Hayao Miyazaki exhibition, the museum presented Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971, which explored the history of Black participation in American cinema from its beginnings to just beyond the civil rights movement. [1] [42]

Following Regeneration, the museum opened John Waters: Pope of Trash , the first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the filmmaker, exploring his process, themes, and style. [43]

The Academy Museum also debuted with The Path to Cinema: Highlights from the Richard Balzer Collection. This was replaced in May 2024, when the museum opened its first permanent exhibition, "Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital". [44] [45]

Later in 2024, the Museum opened Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema, investigating the role of color in film, from the scientific and technological advancements that made it possible, to its impact on viewers and uses by filmmakers. The Museum also created Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema, which examined the influence of the science fiction subgenre cyberpunk on cinema culture, featuring the films and futuristic themes known internationally and across generations. [46]

Galleries in the museum will be dedicated to a variety of topics. Inaugural galleries covered: [1] [47]

An area featuring Oscar statuettes will be dedicated to historic Oscar winners, including Ang Lee, Barry Jenkins, Sidney Poitier, and Buffy Sainte-Marie.

A "largely uncritical" exhibit on the history of the film industry, slated to be called "Where Dreams Are Made: A Journey Inside the Movies", was scrapped by Kramer to be replaced with a more "complex, complete" exhibit. [1]

The museum also features year-round film programming and screenings, with some examples including:

Board of trustees

The museum's initial board of trustees included:

Film and television premieres

The museum is also a site for Los Angeles premieres of new films and television series. [53] [54] Films and series that have held premieres here include:

Community partners

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pogrebin, Robin (June 6, 2021). "Movie Museum Rethinks Exhibitions in Response to a Changing World". The New York Times . Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Amid Covid-19 adjustments, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles delays opening by five months". The Art Newspaper . December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Miranda, Carolina (June 15, 2020). "Citing 'devastating pandemic,' Academy Museum once again delays opening — to April 2021". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  4. ↑ Rathe, Adam (September 27, 2021). "Inside an Unforgettable Night at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opening Gala". Town & Country . Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Academy Museum will roll out a digital red carpet before the Oscars". Los Angeles Times. March 11, 2021. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Grand Opening Of Long-Awaited Academy Museum Arrives Thursday". KCAL-TV . September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  7. ↑ Barco, Mandalit del (October 2, 2021). "You can now enter Hayao Miyazaki's enchanting animated world at the Academy Museum". NPR. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Visiting the Academy Museum? Your guide for what to see, eat and experience". Los Angeles Times. September 30, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Film Academy's Museum Connects With Visitors in First Year (Published 2022)". September 26, 2022. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Academy Museum Gives Debbie Reynolds Her Due as a Costume Conservator (Published 2020)". November 16, 2020. Archived from the original on October 17, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  11. ↑ Rosen Leib, Sharon. "Jews built Hollywood. So why is their history erased from the Academy's new museum?". The Forward.
  12. ↑ Rosen Leib, Sharon (October 14, 2021). "The new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles neglects Hollywood's Jewish founders". The Forward. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  13. ↑ Siegel, Tatiana (January 14, 2022). "'Where Are the Jews?': Scandal Erupts at the Academy Museum". Rolling Stone . Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Absence of Jewish legacy at LA's Academy Museum of Motion Pictures spurs outcry". The Times of Israel . January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  15. ↑ Haring, Bruce (January 22, 2022). "Bill Maher's 'Real Time' Talks Covid-19, Crime, And A Gay Marriage Between Biden And Obama In His Return From Break". Deadline . Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Outrage from donors pushed Academy decision". The Forward. January 28, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Malkin, Marc (September 26, 2021). "The Academy Museum Opening Gala: Red Carpet Arrivals". Variety. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  18. ↑ Robb, David (July 14, 2022). "Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures Voluntarily Recognizes Union To Represent Its Workers". Deadline. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  19. ↑ Rottenberg, Josh (September 27, 2017). "$50 million gift from Cheryl and Haim Saban gives Motion Picture Academy museum a major boost". Los Angeles Times .
  20. ↑ "Renzo Piano completes Academy Museum of Motion Pictures". Dezeen. March 10, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  21. ↑ Kilday, Gregg (November 19, 2013). "Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg Each Donate $10 Million to Academy Museum". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Academy Museum of Motion Pictures offers up The Matrix, Dorothy and Pedro Almodóvar". The Art Newspaper. April 6, 2020. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  23. 1 2 "Academy Museum nears completion and gives a sneak peek inside". Los Angeles Times. February 7, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  24. ↑ Gray, Tim (October 8, 2015). "Shirley Temple Family Gives $5 Million to Academy Museum". Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  25. ↑ Bart, Peter (February 8, 2020). "Academy Museum Unveils New Theater As It Nears Fundraising Goal". Deadline. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  26. ↑ Rus, Mayer (January 20, 2019). "Architect Renzo Piano Gives An Inside Look at the Forthcoming Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles". Architectural Digest. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  27. ↑ Malkin, Marc (September 26, 2021). "The Academy Museum Opening Gala: Red Carpet Arrivals". Variety. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  28. ↑ Malkin, Thania Garcia,Marc (October 16, 2022). "Academy Museum Gala 2022 Photos: Inside the Party". Variety. Retrieved January 12, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  29. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (August 15, 2023). "Meryl Streep, Sofia Coppola, Michael B. Jordan, and Oprah Winfrey to Be Honored at 2023 Academy Museum Gala". IndieWire. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  30. ↑ Marlowe, Rachel (July 1, 2024). "The Academy Museum Names Paul Mescal, Rita Moreno and Quentin Tarantino as 2024 Gala Honorees". TheWrap. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  31. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (July 17, 2025). "Bruce Springsteen, Penélope Cruz, Bowen Yang and Walter Salles to be Honored at 2025 Academy Museum Gala". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  32. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca; Rico, Klaritza (May 19, 2020). "Academy Wins Bid for 'Midsommar' May Queen Dress From A24 Charity Auction (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  33. ↑ Palumbo, Jacqui (July 16, 2021). "Inside the new Academy Museum's collection of iconic movie memorabilia". CNN. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  34. ↑ "The ultimate film lovers' guide to the new Academy Museum". Los Angeles Times. September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  35. ↑ "10 cool things you'll see at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures". Daily News. September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures Announces Acquisition Of Bela Lugosi's Iconic Cape From Dracula". Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. October 18, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  37. ↑ Bahr, Lindsey (November 23, 2020). "Bruce, the last 'Jaws' shark, docks at the Academy Museum". Opelika-Auburn News . Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020– via Associated Press.
  38. ↑ "What You'll Find At The Academy Museum When We Can Go To Museums Again". LAist. April 6, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  39. ↑ Barnes, Brooks (December 4, 2018). "Film Academy Museum, Yet to Open, Reveals Inaugural Exhibitions". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  40. ↑ "Academy Museum". www.academymuseum.org. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  41. ↑ "You can now enter Hayao Miyazaki's enchanting animated world at the Academy Museum". NPR.org. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Academy Museum's Show on Black Cinema Raises Questions About Who It's For (Published 2022)". September 7, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  43. ↑ Regensdorf, Laura (September 20, 2023). "John Waters Dishes on Memorable Items From His Perfectly Rude Museum Retrospective". Vanity Fair. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  44. ↑ Davis, Clayton (September 29, 2020). "Academy Museum to Feature Richard Balzer Collection of Pre-Cinematic Artifacts". Variety. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  45. ↑ Cieply, Michael (May 5, 2024). "Michael Cieply: Two Weeks Out, The Academy Museum Preps A Cautious But Correct 'Hollywoodland' Opening". Deadline. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  46. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (July 17, 2024). "Academy Museum Sets New Cyberpunk and Technicolor Exhibits Including a '2001: A Space Odyssey' Stargate Recreation". IndieWire. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  47. ↑ Robb, David (December 4, 2018). "Academy Museum Unveils Inaugural Exhibits: 'Wizard Of Oz', Miyazaki, Black Cinema & More". Deadline. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  48. ↑ Blauvelt, Christian (August 13, 2024). "Academy Museum Announces Fall Programs: Rita Moreno, Sophia Loren, Werner Herzog in Person". IndieWire. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  49. ↑ Thompson, Jazz Tangcay,McKinley Franklin,Jaden (August 10, 2023). "Academy Museum Fall Programming Includes John Waters, Gregg Araki Series – Film News in Brief". Variety. Retrieved January 19, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  50. ↑ "'Clueless' Director Says 30th Anniversary 'Doesn't Seem that Important' as Stars Recall Working on the Cult Classic (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Announces Godzilla-Thon!". Godzilla. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  52. ↑ "The Force Is Strong Here: Epic May the Fourth Events Across the Country". Yahoo Entertainment. May 2, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  53. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 8, 2021). "Academy Museum's Inaugural Film Premiere Will Be Focus Features' 'Last Night In Soho'". Deadline Hollywood .
  54. ↑ Malkin, Marc (September 30, 2021). "Robert Pattinson, H.E.R. and More at the Academy Museum Premiere Party". Variety .
  55. ↑ Abuin, Rose (May 17, 2022). "Los Angeles premiere of 'WeCrashed'". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  56. ↑ Malkin, Marc (July 27, 2022). "Brad Pitt Premieres 'Bullet Train,' 'House of the Dragon' at the Academy Museum and Louis Vuitton Trunks: Must Attend Calendar Listings July 27 – Aug. 2". Variety. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  57. ↑ Chuba, Kirsten (November 18, 2022). "Events of the Week: 'Disenchanted,' 'Glass Onion' and More". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  58. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (January 31, 2023). "Oprah Winfrey and Nikole Hannah-Jones Discuss Honoring Their Ancestors With 'The 1619 Project' at L.A. Premiere". Variety. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  59. ↑ Delaney, Jillian (June 9, 2023). "'Elemental' premiere in Los Angeles, Calif". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  60. ↑ Chuba, Kirsten (November 17, 2023). "'May December' Team Weighs in on Film's Real-Life Comparisons: "This Is Not the Story of Mary Kay Letourneau"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  61. ↑ "Bradley Cooper joined by daughter and Lady Gaga at 'Maestro' premiere". ABC News. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  62. ↑ "'The Color Purple' movie premiere in L.A." New York Daily News. December 7, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  63. ↑ Bennett, Jessica (January 8, 2024). "JAY-Z, Dave Chappelle, And More Attend 'The Book Of Clarence' Premiere And Afterparty". VIBE.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  64. ↑ "'Shogun' Star Anna Sawai Says She Was Forced to Turn Down 'Suicide Squad' Audition While in J-Pop Group (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. May 1, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  65. ↑ "NatGeo's New Female-Led Wildlife Series 'QUEENS' Narrated by Angela Bassett". Los Angeles Sentinel. April 3, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  66. ↑ "'Civil War' movie premiere in L.A." New York Daily News. April 3, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  67. ↑ "Apple TV+ celebrates "The Studio" with star-studded Los Angeles premiere". Apple TV+ . March 25, 2025.
  68. ↑ "What Sold Gerard Butler on Reprising His Role in the Live-Action 'How to Train Your Dragon'". The Hollywood Reporter . June 8, 2025.
  69. ↑ Mendoza, Lea (December 5, 2025). "'Percy Jackson' Cast Wants Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and Cillian Murphy to Guest Star". Variety . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  70. ↑ "Parajanov: The Last Spring with The Color of Pomegranates" . Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  71. ↑ Valerie Complex (July 11, 2024). "Akbar Hamid & Evan Schwartz To Launch F.L.U.I.D., An Indie Studio And Film Fund For LGBTQIA+ Stories And Creators". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  72. ↑ "Ghetto Film School x Academy Museum" . Retrieved September 4, 2024.
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