Columbus Museum of Art Free Sundays, discounts, & more

Columbus Museum of Art is a gem to explore in Columbus, and it’s accessible to all!

They offer FREE Sundays and other discounts at Columbus Museum of Art, such as $5 Thursday evenings, Blue Star Museum discounts, and more. 

Free Sundays at CMA

Take a day to appreciate art at Columbus Museum of Art during Free Sundays at CMA, open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The free admission also includes most exhibitions, as well as Center for Creativity, Big Idea Gallery, and much more during free Sundays at CMA.

Free Sundays are made possible by the Free for the Future initiative to provide free access on Sundays for the next five years.

You can also pay just $5 for admission on Thursdays from 5-9 pm. 

Exhibitions and Galleries at Columbus Museum of Art

Families will enjoy The JPMorgan Chase Center for Creativity featuring the Big Idea Gallery to encourage imaginative play for everyone. You’ll also enjoy the art and exhibitions featuring world-renowned artists.

See the current exhibitions and galleries here. Explore art throughout the Museum galleries through hands-on activities, puzzles, and “Join the Conversation” stations. Safety and sanitation kits are provided for hands’ on activities.

Special Events at Columbus Museum of Art

Movie Night at the Museum: Where the Wild Things Are

February 4, 2023 from 6:00–9:00 PM

Enjoy a night at the Museum featuring a screening of Where the Wild Things Are, directed by Spike Jonze.

From 6:00–7:00 PM, explore Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak, enjoy a cash bar, art-activities, snacks and movie trivia. The film screening starts at 7:00 PM. Pajamas are welcome.

Tickets are $12 for non-members and $10 for members. Purchase here. 

Valentine’s Day with Columbus Museum of Art

February 10, 2023 at 6pm – 10 pm

Cocktail Celebration: Enjoy live jazz music by Sabrina Tutstone, light bites, and a cash bar before exploring the open galleries at night. Event includes one drink ticket.

Cocktail Celebration tickets are $45 for members and $50 for nonmembers.

There is an upgrade available for the Intimate Dining Experience that features a plated dinner and drinks for two, plus the Cocktail Celebration. 

More details and reservations here.

Black History Month Concert Pop-Up

February 12, 2023 from 2:00–3:30 PM

In celebration of Black History Month, come enjoy a free performance by the Columbus Cultural Orchestra. Details here.

#HeartsforArt

February 14–19, 2023

Museums and galleries across the world are celebrating Valentine’s Day with #HeartsforArt from February 14–19.

This initiative was launched by Columbus Museum of Art and Oakland Museum of California in 2014, Hearts for Art is a fun way for visitors to express their love for art.

When you visit CMA, pick up a red paper heart at the admission desk and place it in front of a work of art that you love. S

hare your art crush by posting a picture of your favorite work of art across your favorite social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) using hashtag #HeartsForArt and tag @columbusmuseum. 

Member Appreciation Week

February 14–19

See a full list of offers and special events for members. You may just want to get a membership before this week!

Think Outside the Brick LEGO® Exhibition

October 8, 2022–February 24, 2023.
Columbus Museum of Art’s annual holiday celebration of the creative potential of LEGO® bricks returns. Bring your friends and family and celebrate the season by connecting with LEGO® and each other. Think Outside the Brick features an enormous collaboratively-built model of Columbus.

Don’t forget – everyone can enjoy FREE ADMISSION at CMA every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and $5 admission on Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. 

Activities in and near the exhibition include: Museum-wide scavenger hunt, a LEGO® bricks building area, and design-your-own Minifigure drawing station.

Family Book Event: You Gotta Meet Mr. Pierce!

February 25, 2023 from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM

Join CMA to celebrate beloved Columbus artist, Elijah Pierce, by highlighting a new children’s book written by local authors Chiquita Mullins Lee and Carmella Van Vleet.

This event will feature a live reading, author meet-and-greet, and a woodblock printing activity inspired by book illustrator Jennifer Mack-Watkins.

The program is drop-in and included in general admission. No registration is required. Details here. 

Spring Art Breaks at CMA

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from March 21-April 13: 10 am – 3 pm.

Families on Spring Break or days off school will enjoy creative activities for youth and teens. This drop-in program is included with admission.

Spring Art Breaks are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, from March 21–April 13.
Details here. 

Regular Events at CMA

Open Studio

Every Saturday from 11 am – 2 pm. Engage creative thinking through material exploration with local community partner, Ohio Alliance for Arts Education (OAAE). There will be an enhanced session each month with a teaching artist who will lead a program based on prompts and provide creative instruction.

Individuals of all ages are welcome to step into the Studio to explore and experiment with our wide range of materials and supplies. Open Studio experiences are included with admission to CMA.

Teen Open Studio

2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month from 11 am – 2 pm. FREE, drop-in program for ages 12–19. Located in the Innovation Lab, teens can learn from local artists, experiment with technology and art supplies, or just hang out with their friends. Teen Open Studio will be held the second and third Saturday of each month from

Art for Wellbeing

Join CMA for a free, thirty minute mindful-looking exercise that will help you slow down, process emotion, and quiet anxieties. Participants will be guided through a slow-looking protocol coupled with a mindful breathing exercise. You will have the opportunity to reflect and share or quietly look and process.

February 16: 12:30 – 1:00 PM
March 16: 12:30 – 1:00 PM

Art of Rest

CMA’s partnership with The Yoga Carriage at replenish returns with a new series of monthly collective community care gatherings. The Art of Rest incorporates curated mindful and restorative practices to invite in spaciousness and curiosity. Program is $20 for online and in-person sessions. 1st Sundays, unless otherwise noted.

March 5: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM In-Person at CMA

Yoga @ CMA with Replenish 

Whether you are a beginner or advanced student this practice will allow you to reset the body, move at a slower pace and experience the practice of relaxation. Program is $10 and is In-Person at CMA

February 9: 6:00–7:00 PM
March 9: 6:00–7:00 PM

Columbus Museum of Art

Admission, events, and discounts at Columbus Museum of Art

Reminder: all visits should have a ticket reservation to ensure admission. See all discounted admission.

Color your own CMA Masterpiece for free admission:

Use one of the coloring sheets of the most iconic works of art to create your own masterpiece. Bring in your artwork to get 1 free general admission to the Museum for the day, and you can see these actual artworks and more that we hope will inspire you! 

Print the coloring sheets from the website, or pick one up at local restaurant partners, Forno (and order the breakfast pizza!) or Urban Meyer’s Pint House. Program end date unknown; check link above to see if it’s still available. 

Free Sundays at CMA

Everyone can enjoy free Sundays at CMA from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The free admission also includes all exhibitions, as well as Center for Creativity, Big Idea Gallery, and much more during free Sundays at CMA.

While Sunday admission is free, all visitors should reserve a dated, timed admission ticket to enter. Special exhibition fees may apply on Sundays. A small amount of day-of admission tickets may be available for visitors who arrive without reservations, but cannot be guaranteed.

$5 Thursdays evenings at CMA

Thursday is a perfect night to head to CMA with friends or a date! Admission is just $5 from 5 – 9 pm. (Closed Christmas Eve)

Blue Star Museums Program

CMA is also part of the Blue Star Museums Programs, so active duty, retired military, veterans and their families get free admission. Simply show your active-duty military personnel or military family I.D. at the admission desk for free entry.

Columbus Member Advantage Program

If you’re a member of select Central Ohio attractions, you can save $3 on general admission to CMA through the Columbus Member Advantage program.

No coupon is necessary. Simply show your valid participating membership card when you visit! Limited to 4 discounts per membership per day; can’t be combined with other discounts.  

Member Advantage partners for 2023 include:

• Columbus Museum of Art and Pizzuti Collection (see our article)
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (see our article)
• Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (see our article)
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus (see our article)
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum (see our article)
• Ohio History Center & Ohio Village (see our article)
• Wexner Center for the Arts (see our article)
• COSI

Reciprocal memberships with the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association® are accepted. Please call 614.221.6801 to reserve your timed admission tickets using your reciprocal benefits. See list of NARM institutions here.

Columbus Metropolitan Library Culture Pass

Columbus Museum of Art has a partnership with Columbus Metropolitan Library to offer free visits through their Culture Pass program. This program aligns with our mission to create great experiences with great art for EVERYONE.

As part of the Culture Pass program, CML customers can borrow a one-time pass (which must be checked out in person) to visit the Museum. These passes can be found at all 23 Columbus Metropolitan Library locations.

More details and information about the Culture Pass program can be found by clicking here.

General Admission for Columbus Museum of Art

Adults • $18
Seniors (60+), Students (18+), Children (4-17) • $9 
Thursdays (5:00PM – 9:00PM) • $5
Children (0-3) • FREE
Members • FREE
Sundays • FREE
Veterans and active military and their families • FREE

Open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Special evening hours of Thursdays from 5-9 pm.

Closed July 4, Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and all Mondays. Closing at 3:00 PM July 3, September 23, Thanksgiving Eve, December 24, and December 31. Open on Easter and New Year’s Day.

Membership

Individual memberships start at just $75 and members can bring a guest. Family memberships are $100 and include a guest and children under 18. 

Parking at CMA

CMA operates a parking lot off East Gay Street where members can park for free and all other visitors play a flat fee of $5. Visitors are encouraged to pay for parking at the gate. Members still receive validated parking from the Admissions Desk.

Visitors to the Museum Store and Schokko Café enjoy free parking. Just bring your Museum ID or receipt to the admissions desk.

Columbus Museum of Art
480 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614.221.6801
website

Check out other Free and Discounted Museum Days in Columbus!

Discounted and Free Museum Days in Columbus

Seasonal Events TBA for 2023 at CMA

Mother’s Day events and specials 

May 8, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM: Mother’s Day Brunch
Schokko Café has created a delectable menu for Mother’s Day, see it here!
Capacity is limited; reserve your timed slot in advance for tables up to 4 or 6. Outdoor patio seating is weather dependent and available on a first come, first served basis.

May 8, 2:00–3:30 PM: Tony Hagood Quartet presents: Ella Sings Cole Porter and Jazz Standards
Treat the mother in your life to a concert presented by the Tony Hagood Quartet featuring the music of Cole Porter. This performance includes the vocal stylings of Sydney McSweeney, Tony Hagood on piano, Bradley Mellen on bass, and Reggie Jackson on drums.

Tickets include admission to the special exhibition, Roy Lichtenstein: History in the Making, 1948–1960. Cost is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers in advance; $30 for everyone at the door.

Discounted Gift Memberships: Museum membership has lots of perks, including free admission, invites to special experiences, free parking, discounts at the Schokko Café and the Museum Store. Through the month of May 2022, gift memberships are 15% off with the code MAY15 for Individual, Family and Reciprocal levels

Museum Store Specials: The museum store has TONS of great gift options, including art, jewelry, housewares, clothing, books, and more! The month of May we are having a special at the Museum Store with 20% off of all jewelry, this deal is exclusive to museum members. Shop online or in person at the Museum Store. Gift wrapping and parking are always FREE when you shop, and shipping is available (and typically very fast!). 

Wonderball 2022

Friday, May 13, 2022 from 8:00 PM – Midnight
Inspired by the 2022 theme of FUTURE, Wonderball is moved further into the FUTURE and will hold Wonderball in May.

Wear your favorite black & white attire and join us for a fashionable evening of local food, music, performances, and interactive, unexpected experiences. Wonderball celebrates creativity at Columbus Museum of Art and throughout the Central Ohio community. This fundraiser is a splurge event, with tickets typically over $100 – available starting in March.

BAM Thursdays: Bar, Art, Music. Thursdays starting May 5 through Summer from 5 pm – 9 pm
BAM Thursdays (Bar, Art, and Music) are back! Every Thursday will bring fresh libations, great art, and music at the Museum. Sip and vibe with friends in our garden space, with limited seating also available inside Schokko Café.

Admission is just $5 on Thursday evenings!

The first Thursday of the month have enhanced festivities with local Craftin’ Outlaws exhibitors and a featured live artist from 6:00–8:00 PM. This marketplace will give you access to shop unique, one-of-a-kind, items from local and regional artists, makers, and retailers.

Summer Art Workshops for Students

Reservations Open March 1 and End May 15. Workshops are Mondays–Fridays from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
$300 Non-Member / $255 Member
 
Each workshop is 5 days of in-person instruction at the Columbus Museum of Art for students entering 1st-8th Grade. Classes will be offered each week with the same theme split by grades/age. Students will be able to explore the galleries through private tours, have downtime outside on the gardens and have access to a variety of creative materials.

See themes, registration and more on website. 

Dia de los Muertos at the Columbus Museum of Art

Columbus Museum of Art hosts multiple Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) events, including a community alter

Community Ofrenda at CMA
October 25 – November 6, 2022
An ofrenda is an altar, built to honor lost loved ones. Visitors may add a memento, photo, or word to remember and celebrate someone special from their lives.

The ofrenda was created by Renee Zamora, a Columbus artist who works with printmaking, mixed media and found objects. Artist Renee Zamora shares her story and one of her favorite parts about Dia de los Muertos, the ofrenda.

Admission is free to visit the Ofrenda. Read more, and build your own.

Community Conversation on Grief at CMA
Saturday October 27, 2022 at 6:00 pm: Join CMA and community partners in an honest and meaningful conversation about grief, loss, healing, and the origins of Día de los Muertos. This event is free and open to the public; registration requested.

Celebrate Dí­a de los Muertos at CMA
November 5, 2022 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Celebrate and learn about the rich history of Día de los Muertos with activations by artists including a community ofrenda, art-activities, vendors, tarot, dancing and live music from Al Son del Iya, craft cocktails & tasty bites available from Casa Mezcal Mexican Grill.

Cost of the program is $10 for nonmembers, $5 for members, children 3 and under are free. Details and registration on the Columbus Museum of Art website.  

Wild Things Are Happening Community Day

Saturday, December 3, 11 am – 2 pm.  
Spend the day with all things wild and creative at CMA. Explore Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak, Think Outside the Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO®, and the Wonder Room.

Drop-in to a Where the Wild Things Are inspired Open Studio, tours, and interactive story time. Programming is included with admission. Youth under the age of 18 receive free general and special exhibition admission. Registration is not required, adult admission is the normal rate. Details here.

Craftin’ Outlaws Holiday Craft Market

Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 1 pm – 5 pm. Shop your holiday list at the Craftin’ Outlaws Holiday Market featuring 30 artists with handmade items. Buy local, support these makers, and finish your holiday shopping. Free to shop, or purchase early bird pass to shop at noon for $15.

Admission is FREE to explore the museum on Sundays too! Special exhibitions required tickets.

The Tony Hagood Trio Plays Jazz Holiday Standards

December 11, 2022 from 2:00–4:00 PM

This holiday jazz concert features arrangements from artists like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughn, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and much more! There will be several featured special guests bringing the holiday cheer.

The Tony Hagood Trio is: Tony Hagood – Piano, Reggie Jackson – Drums, and Bradley Mellen – Bass

Tickets are $25 for non-members and $20 for members in advance; $30 for everyone at the door.

Winter Art Breaks

December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 2022 from 10 am – 3 pm.
Stop by the Studio for creative activities for young families and teens while school is out for holiday break. Winter Art Breaks is a drop-in program that is included with admission or membership.

Discounted Gift Membership!

Save 15% when you buy an Individual, Family, or Reciprocal gift membership now through the entire month of December (with promo code GIFT15). Order by December 14 to guarantee Christmas delivery. Read more here.