The Columbia Museum of Art has been selected to participate in Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program, a transformative, three-year funding initiative aimed at increasing access to museums across America and fostering engagement with local audiences. Through this generous support, the CMA is launching Free Summer at the CMA, a new endeavor that offers all residents of South Carolina free general admission to the museum from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This year’s Free Summer at the CMA kicks off Friday, May 24.
“We are thrilled and thankful to Art Bridges for their generosity and commitment to expanding arts access across the country and specifically here in South Carolina,” says Joelle Ryan-Cook, CMA deputy director. “This opportunity to focus on creative placemaking is so exciting and creates an environment where all S.C. residents are encouraged to return over and over for new experiences.”
Funding provided by Access for All also supports expanded hours and activities, allowing the CMA to open to the public on Mondays during the summer beginning June 3 and to offer new free programs including live music, a silent book club, and tours, along with daily activities including drawing boards and scavenger hunts. Many programs have already launched, with more in development.
Free Summer at the CMA gives South Carolinians free general admission and fun ways to engage seven days a week, providing a vibrant, safe, climate-controlled space for multigenerational arts experiences.
Access for All represents a sweeping effort to get people back to museums after COVID-19 brought declines in revenue, staffing, and attendance. With many museums seeing just 71 percent of their pre-pandemic attendance, Access for All aims to restore pre-pandemic levels — and open opportunities for all people to enjoy American art by reducing barriers to access and strengthening community relationships.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
