Exhibition Designer

About the Museum

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is set to open in September 2026 and is devoted to the power of illustrated storytelling. Established by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, its collection spans celebrated artists, comic creators, and photographers, along with the Lucas Archives, which preserve models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career.

Located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, the museum sits on an 11-acre campus designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with landscape design by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA. The site includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community areas.

Role Overview

The Exhibition Designer will partner across teams to shape exhibition environments that align with the museum’s mission and curatorial direction. The role combines technical design, presentation development, documentation, and coordination of exhibition production from concept through installation.

This position also supports the management and execution of exhibition projects by working with internal production staff, external fabricators, contractors, and vendors involved in construction, digital integration, fabrication, and related services.

Key Responsibilities

The position requires a strong understanding of the museum’s base-building conditions and standard exhibition wall construction, including MEP systems, structural limits, fire protection, lighting, ceilings, and flooring, as these factors affect future gallery updates and exhibition changes.

You will coordinate with Buildings, Facilities, and Operations teams to understand infrastructure constraints and approval requirements for outdoor work in the Park and Garden.

Design documentation is a major part of the job, including drawings, floor plans, details, case lists, and schedules for internal review and for use in construction bid packages shared with outside vendors.

The role serves as a point of contact for vendors, contractors, and design consultants, helping ensure that all exhibition components comply with code requirements and the museum’s accessibility expectations.

You will work with the Architect of Record and exhibition fabricators to adjust layouts and support the LADBS submission and approval process.

Project scheduling, prioritization, and delivery tracking are central to the position. The designer will collaborate with the design team to guide production of exhibition graphics from external vendors, including printing, silk-screening, and fabrication, while coordinating with Collections Management on installation planning.

In partnership with internal stakeholders, the role helps set aesthetic direction for framing, plinths, furniture, and casework, and supports selection and procurement of casework and exhibition furniture suited to gallery conditions.

The designer will also work with Collections Management to identify fabricators and specialty vendors for custom gallery elements as needed.

Additional duties include building architectural models and mockups for concept development and presentations, preparing 2D and 3D artwork assets for Vectorworks and Rhino, and supporting budget management for in-gallery design, construction, walls, and casework alongside the Head of Exhibition Design.

Core Competencies

The museum values strong analytical thinking, clear and courageous communication, collaborative behavior, adaptability in complex environments, and an inclusive approach that helps every team member feel respected and able to contribute.

Values and Culture

The organization emphasizes people-first thinking, inspired work, and collaboration. Its strategic priorities are centered on narrative art, community connection, and operational excellence. All staff are expected to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in service to the public.

Equal Opportunity

The museum is committed to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment and welcomes applicants from traditionally underrepresented communities.

Additional Information

The job posting notes that the listed duties and qualifications reflect typical responsibilities and are not meant to be a complete list of every task, duty, or skill that may be required. Salary and title will be determined based on the selected candidate’s education and experience, and the organization states that an attractive compensation package will be provided.

Compensation

The posted annual salary range is $119,500 to $142,900.