Columbia Museum of Art: A Practical Visitor Guide

The Columbia Museum of Art combines a broad historical collection with exhibitions that change every few months. The museum is at 1515 Main Street, on the corner of Main and Hampton Streets in downtown Columbia.

For access needs, strollers, walkers and wheelchairs are available free at the Welcome Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. The museum recommends bringing your own if you need one.

Bags larger than 14.5 × 17 × 8 inches are not permitted. Smaller backpacks can enter, but you cannot wear them on your back in the galleries.

Adult admission is $15, with reduced prices for some age groups and free entry for children age 6 and under, except in groups.

Opening hours

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM
• Thursday: 10 AM–8 PM
• Sunday: 12 PM–5 PM
• Monday: closed

Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.

• Adults: $15.
• Adults 65 and over: $13.
• College students and youth ages 7–18: $10.
• Children age 6 and under: Free, except in groups.
• Museum members: Free admission.

Some programs offer free admission to eligible visitors. Museums for All provides free entry for up to four people when a visitor presents a SNAP EBT card. From Armed Forces Day through Labor Day each year, Blue Star Museums offers free admission to active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserves members, and their families.

Bank of America’s Museums on Us program provides free collection admission on the first full weekend of each month. Bring an eligible active Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank card or employee ID, along with photo ID.

Tickets can be bought online in advance or at the door; groups of 10 or more are asked to book through the museum’s group tours service.

The museum is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.; it is closed Monday.

On First Thursdays, the museum stays open until 8 p.m. The last admission ticket is sold a half hour before the galleries close, so plan your arrival with that cutoff in mind. Hours and admission details can change, so check the official site before you go.

On-street parking is available on surrounding streets, and it is free on Saturdays and Sundays. Main Street parking stations accept credit cards and the Passport app; side-street meters accept coins and the Passport app.

PJ Cannon Garage is at 1227 Taylor Street, with a pedestrian path to Main Street and free parking on Saturdays and Sundays. The City of Columbia’s parking website has information about other area parking and garages.

Use the museum’s Main Street entrance. If you plan to take photos, still photography is allowed in public spaces and galleries for personal, noncommercial use unless otherwise noted. Flashes, lights, tripods, monopods, video cameras and selfie sticks are prohibited.

The South Carolina State Capitol is a few blocks from the museum, making it a nearby downtown sight to pair with your visit. The South Carolina State Museum is another museum option in Columbia.

The Columbia Visitors’ Center is at 1120 Lincoln Street, a few blocks from the art museum.

For a broader sightseeing plan, the one-day Columbia sightseeing route brings downtown stops together.