Columbia, South Carolina – The Columbia Museum of Art (CMA) has been chosen to join the Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program, a groundbreaking, three-year initiative designed to boost access to museums nationwide and increase local community engagement. Thanks to this substantial support, the CMA is introducing Free Summer at the CMA, a new project that provides all South Carolina residents with free general admission to the museum from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This year’s Free Summer at the CMA starts on 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.”
The Access for All funding also helps extend hours and activities, enabling the CMA to open to the public on Mondays during the summer starting June 3. Additionally, the museum will offer new free programs such as live music, a silent book club, and tours, along with daily activities like drawing boards and scavenger hunts. Many programs have already begun, with more on the way. Free Summer at the CMA provides South Carolinians with free general admission and enjoyable activities seven days a week, creating a lively, safe, and climate-controlled space for multigenerational arts experiences.
Access for All is a large-scale effort to bring people back to museums after COVID-19 caused drops in revenue, staffing, and attendance. With many museums seeing only 71 percent of their pre-pandemic attendance, Access for All aims to return to pre-pandemic levels and create opportunities for everyone to appreciate American art by removing access barriers and strengthening community ties.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
More details can be found here.
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