
Best Museums & Art Galleries in Columbia, South Carolina, United States
1. Columbia Museum of Art
Home to over 5,000 works spanning 5,000 years, showcasing a variety of cultures and artistic traditions.
- Broad Collection: Offers a diverse range of artworks from around the world.
- Educational Programs: Provides interactive experiences and educational programs for visitors of all ages.
- Temporary Exhibitions: Regularly hosts temporary exhibitions featuring renowned artists.
2. Robert M. Stevens Arts Center
A modern art gallery located on the campus of USC, showcasing contemporary and experimental works.
- Contemporary Art: Focuses on contemporary and experimental artworks.
- Student Work: Features artwork created by students from the USC School of Visual Arts and Art History.
- Community Engagement: Offers workshops, lectures, and other community engagement activities.
3. South Carolina State Museum
A four-in-one museum with exhibits on art, history, natural history, and science & technology.
- Four Exhibit Areas: Combines art, history, natural history, and science & technology under one roof.
- State's Artifacts: Showcases artifacts significant to South Carolina's history and culture.
- Planetarium & Observatory: Features a planetarium and observatory for stargazing experiences.
4. 701 CCA
A contemporary art gallery focusing on emerging artists from the Southeast.
- Emerging Artists: Supports and showcases emerging artists primarily from the Southeastern US.
- Community Engagement: Provides art workshops, artist talks, and other community engagement activities.
- Rotating Exhibitions: Offers rotating exhibitions featuring different artists throughout the year.
5. Nickelodeon Theatre
An independent art house cinema that showcases independent and foreign films.
- Independent & Foreign Films: Screens independent, foreign, classic, and repertory films.
- Community Engagement: Offers filmmaker Q&As, film festivals, and other community engagement activities.
- Historic Venue: Housed in a beautifully restored historic theatre.
6. Redux Contemporary Art Center
A non-profit art center that supports contemporary artists through exhibitions, workshops, and collaborations.
- Contemporary Art: Focuses on supporting contemporary artists.
- Community Engagement: Provides workshops, artist talks, and other community engagement activities.
- Collaborative Projects: Initiates collaborative projects with artists, organizations, and the community.
7. The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
A contemporary art gallery located at the College of Charleston, featuring exhibitions, public programs, and research.
- Contemporary Art: Focuses on contemporary art, with a particular emphasis on socially engaged practices.
- Public Programs: Offers public programs including artist talks, workshops, and panel discussions.
- Research & Collaboration: Engages in research projects and collaborates with artists, scholars, and organizations.
8. The Gibbes Museum of Art
A museum dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of American art, with a focus on Southern artists.
- American & Southern Art: Focuses on American art with a particular emphasis on Southern artists.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs, lectures, and workshops for visitors of all ages.
- Rotating Exhibitions: Features rotating exhibitions showcasing different artists throughout the year.
9. The City Gallery at Cooper Square
An art gallery located in a historic city hall, showcasing contemporary works by regional artists.
- Contemporary Art: Focuses on contemporary art, particularly from regional artists.
- Community Engagement: Offers workshops, artist talks, and other community engagement activities.
- Historic Venue: Housed in a beautifully restored historic city hall.
10. The Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens
A museum and garden offering tours of the historic home and insights into antebellum life.
- Historic Home Tour: Provides guided tours of a beautifully preserved antebellum mansion.
- Antebellum Life: Offers insights into the lifestyle and social structure of antebellum society.
- Garden Tours: Features guided tours of the stunning historic gardens.
11. The South Carolina State Library
A research library with extensive collections on the history, culture, and people of South Carolina.
- South Carolina History: Holds a wealth of resources on the history, culture, and people of South Carolina.
- Research Facilities: Offers research facilities and assistance for academic researchers.
- Public Access: Provides public access to its resources through on-site use and interlibrary loan services.
12. The Columbia Museum of Aviation
A museum dedicated to the history of aviation in South Carolina, featuring a collection of aircraft and memorabilia.
- South Carolina Aviation History: Showcases the history of aviation in South Carolina.
- Aircraft Collection: Features a collection of aircraft, including historic and modern aircraft.
- Memorabilia Exhibits: Displays aviation memorabilia, uniforms, and other artifacts.
13. The McKissick Museum
A museum on the campus of the University of South Carolina dedicated to cultural history, focusing on the American South.
- Southern Culture: Explores the cultural history of the American South.
- Permanent Collections: Features permanent collections focusing on art, archaeology, and natural history.
- Temporary Exhibitions: Offers temporary exhibitions related to its areas of focus.
14. The South Carolina Military Museum
A museum dedicated to the military history of South Carolina, featuring artifacts and exhibits from various wars.
- South Carolina Military History: Showcases the military history of South Carolina.
- Artifact Collection: Features a collection of military artifacts, uniforms, and weapons.
- Exhibits on Wars: Offers exhibits focusing on various wars in which South Carolinians have served.
15. The South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum
A museum dedicated to the history of South Carolina during the American Civil War and Reconstruction.
- American Civil War History: Focuses on the history of South Carolina during the American Civil War.
- Relics and Artifacts: Features relics, artifacts, and uniforms from the American Civil War.
- Reconstruction Era: Explores the period of Reconstruction following the American Civil War.