Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Name	Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Established	September 30, 2021
Location	6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Type	Film museum
Director	Jacqueline Stewart
President	Bill Kramer
Architect	Renzo Piano (Renzo Piano Building Workshop) and Zoltan Pali (SPF:architects)
Publictransit	Wilshire/Normandie station (Metro E Line)
Website	https://www.academymuseum.org

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a major museum in Los Angeles dedicated to the arts, sciences, and artists of filmmaking. Operated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, it is the largest institution in the United States devoted to the history of cinema. The museum aims to contextualize and celebrate the cultural impact of motion pictures through expansive exhibitions, screenings, and educational programs.

History and development

The concept for a museum dates to the 1920s with early plans by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences founders, including Louis B. Mayer. Serious planning resumed in the 2010s under the leadership of then-Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. The museum's location was secured through a long-term lease with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for the former May Company building on the Miracle Mile. A significant capital campaign, supported by major donations from figures like Cheryl Boone Isaacs and studios including The Walt Disney Company, raised over $480 million. Following construction delays, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the institution opened to the public on September 30, 2021, with inaugural exhibitions curated by film historian Kerry Brougher.

Architecture and facilities

The museum campus comprises two connected structures: the restored and renovated historic 1939 Streamline Moderne May Company building, now named the Saban Building, and a new spherical addition designed by Renzo Piano. The spherical building, dubbed the "Sphere," houses the 1,000-seat David Geffen Theater, a state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos cinema. The complex also includes the 288-seat Ted Mann Theater, the Shirley Temple Education Studio, the **Oscars® Experience** simulation ride, and multiple rooftop terraces with views of the Hollywood Hills. The design by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and executive architect SPF:architects emphasizes transparency and connection to the surrounding museum row along Wilshire Boulevard.

Permanent exhibitions

Core exhibitions are installed across three floors of the Saban Building. "Stories of Cinema" is the museum's central, rotating permanent exhibition, featuring artifacts like the Dorothy gingham dress from *The Wizard of Oz*, the Type 40 TARDIS from Doctor Who, and the E.T. puppet. The "Academy Awards History" gallery displays historic Oscar statuettes and explores the evolution of the ceremony. A dedicated gallery for filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli presents original artwork, while "The Path to Cinema: Highlights from the Richard Balzer Collection" traces pre-cinema optical devices. Significant props, such as the Rosebud sled from Citizen Kane, are integrated throughout.

Special exhibitions and programming

The museum organizes major temporary exhibitions, such as the opening show "Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898–1971," curated by Doris Berger and Rhea L. Combs. Other notable exhibitions have focused on John Waters, the costumes of Academy Award-winner Ruth E. Carter, and the work of director Pedro Almodóvar. Programming includes daily film screenings in its theaters, often featuring appearances by artists like Steven Spielberg and Jane Fonda. The museum also hosts the **Oscars® Season** series, panel discussions with organizations like the Visual Effects Society, and family-focused workshops.

Collections and conservation

The museum's holdings comprise over 13 million items, including significant acquisitions like the Technicolor archive, the personal collection of Katharine Hepburn, and the corporate records of Universal Pictures. The collection spans costumes, such as those worn by Marlon Brando in The Godfather, posters, screenplays, production design models, and millions of photographic assets. The museum operates the **Academy Museum Conservation Center**, a state-of-the-art facility in Beverly Hills dedicated to preserving film prints, digital media, and fragile artifacts, working in collaboration with institutions like the George Eastman Museum.

Governance and funding

The museum is governed as a nonprofit organization under the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with its own board of trustees chaired by Ted Sarandos. Day-to-day operations are led by director and president Jacqueline Stewart and Academy CEO Bill Kramer. Primary funding comes from the Academy's endowment, ticket revenue, membership programs, and continued philanthropic support from individuals like Bob Iger and foundations including the Annenberg Foundation. Corporate partnerships with entities such as Rolex and Delta Air Lines provide additional support for exhibitions and educational initiatives.

Category:Museums in Los Angeles Category:Film museums in the United States Category:Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Category:Museums established in 2021 Category:Renzo Piano buildings