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The CMA is committed to the concept of the modern museum. We believe in being inclusive and participatory. We believe that art is meant to be experienced, not just seen.
Your museum is a place brimming with activity and new ideas.
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Mission
The Columbia Museum of Art sparks powerful connections through art from around the corner and around the world in an environment that is welcoming to all.
Experience Promises
Inspiring
We promise to be inspiring. We are a place for you to learn about each other and yourselves through the art of the world. We provide a variety of experiences designed to move you to connect, contemplate, and create.
Welcoming
We promise to be welcoming. We strive to be warm, inviting, inclusive, and accessible. You belong here, and we promise to treat you that way.
Community-Centered
We promise to be community-centered. We are rooted in and reflective of our own diverse communities. We see ourselves as champions of a thriving Midlands.
Playful
We promise to be playful. We believe that art is an adventure, and we approach everything we do with a sense of open-minded exploration.
Vibrant
We promise to be vibrant. We provide dynamic experiences that engage the mind, enrich the spirit, and fuel artistic energy. Your art museum is bright in spaces, ideas, and possibilities.
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75 Years of the CMA
Your museum is celebrating 75 years! The CMA isn’t just a museum — it’s a dynamic hub where art comes alive, and everyone is invited to join the experience. And we have big plans for our future! Seventy-five years is just the beginning.
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Our Approach
At the Columbia Museum of Art, we believe in art's unique ability to connect people, spark meaningful conversations, and deepen our understanding of one another. Art has the extraordinary power to illuminate the richness of human experience and inspire reflection on our shared journey.
We are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where everyone in our community can discover, experience, and be moved by art. Through thoughtful curation, engaging programs, and a warm, inviting atmosphere, this commitment shapes everything we do.
We aim to make art accessible and meaningful to all who visit. We're committed to being a gathering place where diverse perspectives are celebrated and where art serves as a bridge between people and ideas. As a team, we continuously strive to grow, learn, and better serve our community.
We hope you see these values reflected in every interaction you have with your museum.
A few of the things we’re most excited about right now are:
- Providing free admission initiatives including Free Summer at the CMA (generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program) and Museums for All (an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services).
- Offering a robust schedule of wellness programs, providing avenues for individuals to experience the therapeutic benefits of engaging with art.
- Presenting an exciting 2025 exhibition schedule that reflects the experiences and interests of our community, including Sam Gilliam: Printmaker, Let’s Have a Talk: Black Artists from the CMA Collection, and Keith Haring: Radiant Vision.
- Partnering with the University of South Carolina Center for Civil Rights History and Research and Columbia SC 63: Our Story Matters to create the Our Story Matters Gallery, an exhibition and program space devoted to the rich Civil Rights history of Main Street, Washington Street, and the wider Columbia community.
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Something is always happening at the CMA.
We've enjoyed these recent experiences, and we hope you'll join us for future programs!
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Highlights
- Internationally renowned collection
- Traveling shows and only-at-CMA exhibitions
- Interactive Cross Hatch activity space
- Weekly, monthly, and annual events for all ages
- Art that spans 5,000 years of global history in 26 galleries
Awards
- National Medal for Museum and Library Service
- Two Governor's Awards for the Arts for outstanding contributions to the arts in South Carolina
- National Art Education Association award
- National Park Foundation Award
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Upcoming Exhibitions
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The Collection
In addition to our rotating exhibitions, the CMA has a fantastically diverse permanent collection of art. In fact, we have one of the largest and most impressive international collections in the southeast, including many Renaissance and Baroque pieces. We organize our collection by theme, so that visitors can explore thematically similar pieces from across many eras. We think this creates a richer experience for our guests, who enjoy seeing how an idea like "Vice and Virtue" is explored in different ways over the years.
View of the Seine by French Impressionist Claude Monet
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