Andrew Carboni

HIST 474

Dr. Marsh

October 29, 2023

The Columbia Museum of Art

The Columbia Museum of Art serves as the largest arts organization in the state of South

Carolina. The museum was founded in 1908 but expanded to its current location on Main Street

in 1998, where it occupied two vacant department stores.1 The museum spans 26 galleries and

over 5,000 years of history, with both rotating and permanent exhibits.2 The CMA is

internationally renowned, receiving the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, two

Governor's Awards for the Arts for outstanding contributions to the arts in South Carolina, the

National Art Education Association award, and the National Park Foundation Award, among

others.3 Their current highlighted exhibit is fashion-oriented, named ‘Rendez-Vous’ and shows

off the fashion creations of Lee Alexander McQueen and the photographer behind so many

famous shots, Ann Ray.

The audience is designed to cater to a wide range of ages. There is a clear portion of the

museum that is catered to art enthusiasts, historians, and other adults who have an understanding

of art and its many styles. However, for the less experienced, there was still plenty that the

museum offered as a way to comprehend the art. Beyond admiring the art for art’s sake, there

were cards in each gallery with different emotions on them to encourage younger individuals to

1
Columbia Museum of Art. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Museum_of_Art
2
Columbia Museum of Art. https://www.columbiamuseum.org/visit/about-cma
3
Columbia Museum of Art. https://www.columbiamuseum.org/visit/about-cma
ask themselves what the art made them feel, and why it made them feel that way in the first

place. I found this an effective way to reach an audience that may not have considered the

purpose of the art initially. By having a variety of art and multiple ways to present the works

beyond simply hanging them on a wall, the general public can have a greater appreciation for

artistic style and technique.

The authors of the museum are from a wide range of people and boards. No one person

makes all of the decisions because art is so subjective. The goal of the authors was to create a

gallery that had a theme but could be seen from many different perspectives and that people

could truly think about. The theme in each gallery was written on a placard within each room to

prominently display the goal of the exhibit designers and to enable the audience to see

connections between pieces that may have been created in vastly different time periods and

locations.

The Columbia Museum of Art brings in money from a variety of sources. Lexington

County is a large donor as well as dozens of philanthropic organizations and donations from the

public sector. The museum is a 501c3 organization which allows individuals that donate to the

museum to receive tax write-offs, which incentivizes further investment into public works.

Located on Main Street, the CMA serves as a reflection of the investment that the city of

Columbia has put into revitalizing the downtown district, and their funding has resulted in a

much greater appreciation of art and the culture that the art museum brings to the city.

The objective of the museum as a whole is to earn a profit, but also to be “the most

beloved museum in the Southeast.” In order to achieve this, the museum works to bring in as

many local residents as possible at reduced prices to allow as many people as they can to have

access to art. The Columbia Museum of Art serves as an educational organization first and
foremost, so they work with the public very closely. Many rotational exhibits reflect the views

and work of local artists, as well as exposing the skill of the Columbia art scene. The museum

bares a different goal than that of a stereotypical history museum and is far more focused on

emotions and style than historical dates and events.

Exhibit designs in the Columbia Museum of Art were very different from many other

history museums. There was an order to the galleries, but it was very open to where one could

just wander around as they wish. The themes of each gallery were displayed, but the art was

diverse, ranging from paintings and pottery to glasswork and furniture. There were portions,

particularly within the still-life gallery, that catered to younger individuals. There were several

iPads that allowed the audience to customize their own pottery and design the art however they

saw fit, encouraging creativity and involving a hands-on learning experience for the audience. I

personally did that for 20 minutes, so I can confidently say that I was invested. The combination

of so many different forms of art made the museum feel less dull, as there was always something

new in each and every room. The open space, tall ceilings, and seemingly never-ending rooms

allows the audience to just get lost in the art, both figuratively and literally. The multiple

teaching methods cater to a wide range of people, which makes art more accessible for a larger

number of people. There was also a room devoted to hands-on artwork including building

blocks, coloring, and weaving, dedicated to children and those who enjoy being able to interact

with art in a tangible way. But there were also brochures and plaques that catered to the well-

educated and art critics that also frequent the museum.

Ultimately, I found the Columbia Museum of Art to be extremely invested in the

audience experience for all. Art museums have a reputation of being elitest and snobby, but the

focus of CMA is fun and community oriented. The staff shows a love for art and wants the whole
world to be able to experience and interact with art in their own way. The museum space can be

rented out for events, and the CMA serves as a landmark on Main Street and a pillar of the arts

scene within the Southeast. I believe that as they continue to grow and expand to reach an even

wider audience, they’ll continue to achieve their goal of being the most beloved museum in the

region and open up art to a new generation of learners.