Draft:National Animation Museum

The National Animation Museum is a planned virtual and physical museum in the US dedicated to the art and science of animation. Once finished, the museum will be based in Southern California.

History
The museum was founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2017 by Eddie Newquist, a creative executive who has worked on museums, attractions, and experiential marketing tours including Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Avatar: Discover Pandora, and the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.

The idea for a museum first began during a career day at a local high school where Newquist was featured along with California State Senator Anthony Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge), Academy Award winner Chris Buck, and former DreamWorks Animation head Chris deFaria. They discussed how despite the animation industry's successes in Southern California, there was no museum to celebrate its achievements.

In 2022, Portantino announced that he helped secure $2.5 million in the 2022-23 California state budget to help start an effort to develop a virtual and physical animation museum. Portantino then filed an official request for the state budget to include funding for the museum project that was then approved.

Planning
A three-year planning began in 2023. The early plans for the museum involve hosting gallery displays, exhibitions, and in-person events as well as a virtual component for people out-of-state.

Early considerations for physical sites involved potentially finding a space in the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena area, which has long been home to numerous animation studios.

Development
In January 2024, the museum announced the addition of industry veterans to its team as it enters the creative development phase, including creative director Robin Stapley and planning project director Christine Farris. Universal Creative senior manager Kerri Balabas and VP of cinema partnerships at Disney Entertainment David Sieden joined as board members. Meanwhile the advisory board members include Chris deFaria, Chris Buck, and former Disney executive and Iwerks Entertainment co-founder Stan Kinsey.

The museum is collaborating with organizations including Studio MinaLima, the London-based graphic design studio behind the Harry Potter films. MinaLima is creating the identity, branding, and logo for the museum.

In April 2024, the museum announced its collaboration with The Children's Museum of Indianapolis based in Indianapolis, Indiana, to seek advice.