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In the city built in part by the film biz, it's surprising we don't have a definitive film museum. Sure, there are great memorabilia collections, tourist traps in Hollywood, and excellent curated film exhibits and events at our museums, but a premiere movie museum just isn't here. Now, the pairing of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) means we are on the way to getting a movie museum in the historic May Company building, now known as LACMA West.
The partnership was announced Tuesday night, on the heels of the signing of a memo of understanding that "paves the way for the two organizations to discuss details of a future contract and for the Academy to begin developing plans for fundraising, design, exhibitions, visitor experience, and modifications to this historic site," according to LACMA.
co-chair of the LACMA Board of Trustees Terry Semel said in the release:
“The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will provide a much needed destination for cultural tourists and Los Angelenos to learn more about cinema, and the setting could not be more ideal, nestled next to the largest encyclopedic art museum in the Western United States.”
Such a venue has been an idea tossed around since the 1960s, but this is the most progress the concept has made to-date.
The Academy is aiming to sign a long-term lease for the LACMA West space, and they will have full run of the venue. They are also expected to launch fundraising efforts to finance what will be both permanent and rotating exhibits dedicated to the film industry.
