The CMA is undertaking a legacy project in our 75th anniversary year (2025) to undergo a total gallery lighting renovation and fresh reinstallation of art throughout all the galleries.
The CMA’s gallery lights date back to 1998, when the museum first moved to its current location on Main Street. That system is now obsolete and, to best preserve and present the art, it must be replaced.
To accommodate this exciting new project, all galleries are temporarily closed. This is a significant step as we prepare to bring you an enhanced and enriched experience. The galleries will reopen in phases beginning in May, unveiling new and improved spaces for you to explore.
Rest assured, your museum will continue to offer programs, events, and rentals throughout this period. Your favorite activities and events will still be available, ensuring that the museum remains a vibrant hub of culture and community.
The Our Story Matters Gallery, a partnership between The Columbia Museum of Art, the USC Center for Civil Rights History and Research, and Columbia SC 63: Our Story Matters, is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It has an entrance directly from Main Street.
Important Dates |
May 24, 2025CMA exhibition galleries reopen with Sam Gilliam: Printmaker. This exhibition features 37 of Gilliam's finest prints created between 1972 and 2009, from the Michael K. and Marian E. Butler Collection of Miami, Florida. Early 2026The CMA Collection galleries reopen, featuring an entirely new presentation of art and, of course, lighting! |
Coinciding with the Collection reinstallation, the CMA will also launch a new tour program for audiences including K-12, college and graduate students, and adults. We look forward to celebrating the culmination of this lighting project in early 2026, and we can’t wait for visitors to experience their museum in a brand-new light!
As we prepare to say “farewell for now,” the CMA is offering a series of Collection tours sharing perspectives on the current gallery installation before it makes way for the new. Check those out below.