Columbia Museum of Art Announces Planned Departure of Executive Director
October 23, 2025
Columbia, SC — The Columbia Museum of Art (CMA) announces the planned departure of Executive Director Della Watkins, who will step down from her role in April 2026. Watkins has served as executive director of the CMA since 2017. She previously served as the executive director of the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia.
Watkins is stepping down to care for elderly parents, who reside in her hometown in Virginia. While not a permanent retirement, this transition marks a meaningful shift in priorities to support her family more directly.
“For more than eight years as the CMA’s executive director, Della has led with purpose, heart, and a steady hand,” says Therese Griffin, president of the CMA Board of Trustees. “Della has consistently and admirably prioritized both excellence and care — not only for the CMA’s spectacular art collection, but also for the CMA staff and supporters and the entire community. While she will be greatly missed, we certainly understand and support her need to now focus more intently on family.”
Watkins’ leadership has guided the CMA through a major building renovation, a cutting-edge gallery lighting upgrade, and the profound challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, all while continuing to deliver world-class exhibitions. Watkins is also credited with introducing a streamlined operating system that brought clarity and cohesion to the museum’s internal workings. She built a team of passionate professionals, each bringing fresh energy and ideas to the table.
Rooted in her background as an educator and fueled by a lifelong passion for the arts, Watkins has kept community connection at the heart of her leadership. Her work has helped shape the CMA into a vibrant, responsive, and forward-looking cultural hub — one that listens deeply, evolves boldly, and celebrates the many stories that make up the state.
This impact has been made possible through the steadfast support of the CMA’s members, donors, collectors, corporate and government partners, and foundations that believe in the power of art to inspire, educate, and connect. Their investment in the CMA’s mission has not only sustained the museum’s growth but also enabled it to become a cornerstone of creative engagement.
As the museum celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and enters a new chapter, the legacy of Watkins’ leadership will continue to shape a future where art remains accessible, relevant, and deeply rooted in community.
The CMA Board of Trustees has appointed an executive search committee to conduct a thoughtful process to identify a new executive director. The committee expects to complete its work within a year.
Image above: Executive Director Della Watkins in the CMA galleries.
Photo credit: Victor Johnson / The Columbia Museum of Art.