“Lights, camera, museum” could be the motto here. Welcome to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. It is the first large-scale museum of its kind in the United States. This museum is dedicated to the history, science, and cultural impact of the film industry.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened in 2021. It is located on Museum Row. That is on the Miracle Mile. The location is the historic May Company Building. It stands at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences oversees it. They also administer the Academy’s archives.
Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the museum. The May Company building is now the Saban Building. This is after Cheryl and Haim Saban donated $50 million. The exterior was refurbished. New limestone was used. Gold leaf tiles were added to its corner cylinder.
Inside the Saban Building, you’ll find the Spielberg Family Gallery. Also discover the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery in the lobby. The Shirley Temple Education Studio hosts filmmaking workshops. It includes items from Temple’s career.
A spherical structure connects to the Saban Building via skyways. This sphere features the glass-domed Dolby Family Terrace. Here, you can enjoy stunning views.
The museum has two theaters. The David Geffen Theater seats 1000. It is in the Sphere. The Ted Mann Theater seats 288. Find it in the Saban Building’s lower level. These theaters host film screenings and special events.
Each year, the Academy Museum Gala raises funds. It showcases filmmaking and cinema history. The 2023 Gala honored Meryl Streep, Michael Jordan, and Oprah Winfrey. It raised $10 million.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures holds over 13 million objects. These include costumes, film reels, and posters. You can also find props and screenplays. Some key objects include Bela Lugosi’s cape from Dracula. See Shirley Temple’s tap shoes from The Little Colonel. Marvel at Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz. The museum also owns the only surviving shark mold from Jaws.
The museum’s exhibitions are on the second and third floors. “Stories of Cinema” is the core exhibition. It explores narrative movies and documentaries. It also explores animation. The inaugural temporary collection featured Hayao Miyazaki.
In May 2024, the museum opened its first permanent exhibition. It’s called “Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of a Movie Capital”.
Don’t miss the Pixar “Toy Story” 3D Zoetrope. It thrills visitors of all ages. Experience the sensation of accepting an Oscar. The Academy Museum’s immersive Oscars Experience is unforgettable. You will receive a video of the event.
Fanny’s Restaurant & Café is a great place to relax. Enjoy cuisine by Chef Raphael Francois. Admire the mural by LA artist Konstantin Kakanias.
Before you leave, visit the Academy Museum Store. Find unique merchandise and film-related treasures.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is more than a museum. It is a celebration of film. It is a place where dreams are explored. It is where movie history comes alive.