Columbus Museum of Art is a gem to explore in Columbus, and they have reopened with precautions in place. Enjoy FREE Sundays and other discounts at Columbus Museum of Art, including $5 Thursday evenings, Blue Star Museum discounts, and more.
Take a Sunday 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 all exhibitions, as well as Center for Creativity, Big Idea Gallery, and much more during free Sundays at CMA. Free Sundays are made possible by a PNC Arts Alive grant. You can also pay just $5 on Thursdays from 5-9 pm.
Columbus Museum of Art Re-Opens with Safety Measures
The Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm and Thursday from 10:00 am – 9:00 pm. All Museum visits, including for Members, will require a dated, timed admission ticket at hourly intervals. You can stay for as long as you wish after your admission. General and special exhibition admission tickets are available online or by phone. General admission may be available at the door, depending on capacity.
Museum capacity is significantly lower than standard capacity. At risk individuals, including immune compromised, senior citizens, or those exercising extra caution, there is further reduced capacity at the following times: 2:00 pm & 3:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, or 10:00 am & 11:00 am on Sunday.
Masks are required. Face coverings and face shields will be available onsite for visitors who arrive without them. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther signed an executive order requiring face coverings in public as of July 3, 2020.
Exhibitions and Galleries at Columbus Museum of Art
The Wonder Room, Studio, and Kidder Video Gallery are closed due to the spaces being high touch areas. Free, single-use Essential Engagement Kits are available upon request in the Atrium. These include individual supplies — set of gloves, pencil, post-its — for use with hands-on activities.
Our critically-acclaimed special exhibition Art after Stonewall, 1969-1989 has been extended through October 4, 2020.
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 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.
Admission, events, and discounts at Columbus Museum of Art
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 need to 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.
Thursdays in the Garden Presented by Loud & Proud of CMA: To celebrate the final six weeks of the acclaimed exhibition Art After Stonewall, 1969-1989, we are hosting an artist from the LGBTQ community to create live work in the garden every Thursday night from 6 – 8:30PM through October 1. Enjoy socially-distanced dining, live art-making, and signature cocktail Off the Wall, straight from the original Stonewall Inn’s menu. Schokko Café at CMA is now open until 9pm on Thursday evenings with both garden and café seating.
Featured Artists:
August 27 – Briden Cole Schueren
September 3 – Michael Bush
September 10 – TBA
September 17 – Lisa McLymont
September 24 – TBA
October 1 – TBA
Reserve your timed admission tickets to Art After Stonewall in advance. Discounted admission starts after 5pm, members are always free, and the Museum is open until 9pm on Thursdays. Schokko Café host will seat guests on a first come, first serve basis to ensure comfortable social distancing. This series will happen rain or shine, with the artist creating their work inside the Museum instead of the garden if inclement weather occurs.
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 2020 include:
- Columbus Museum of Art & Pizzuti Collection of CMA
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
- COSI
- Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus
- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- Ohio History Center & Ohio Village
- Wexner Center for the Arts
General Admission for CMA
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
Parking: Park in the Museum’s lot for a flat $5 rate with
payment taken at the admissions desk.
CMA members and visitors to the Museum Store and
Schokko Café enjoy free parking. Just bring your Museum
ID or receipt to the admissions desk.
Virtual events at CMA
Creative Happy Hour via Zoom: Make a virtual date with some friends to have a drink and get crafty with Creative Happy Hour with CMA each month on Zoom to create Postcard Art! You can gather the supplies yourself, or order a supplies kit from CMA. Registration is free!
Wednesdays @ 2 Behind the Scenes Talks: Join Columbus Museum of Art virtually on Wednesdays at 2:00 PM and gain a behind-the-scenes perspective on current exhibitions, CMA’s collection, and more as you hear personal and professional stories from guest speakers. Wednesdays @ 2 will now take place virtually via Zoom. See schedule and register to receive the Zoom link.
Seasonal Exhibitions
Annual Holiday LEGO® Exhibition at Columbus Museum of Art: tba for 2020. 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.
Columbus Museum of Art
480 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614.221.6801
Check out other Free and Discounted Museum Days in Columbus!
Other articles of interest
- Free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus
- Sunflower Fields in Columbus
- Nature walks and scenic hiking trails in Columbus
- Creeking in Columbus: Creeks and other water to explore
- Best Places for Canoeing and Kayaking in Columbus
- Drive in Theatres in Ohio
- Fun and Tasty Adventure Trails in Ohio
- Free outdoor movies around Columbus this Summer
- Farmers Markets in Columbus (and the changes for 2020)
- The most beautiful public gardens in Columbus
- Planetariums and Astronomy: Best places to see the stars in Ohio
- Walking labyrinths in Columbus and Central Ohio
- Caverns, animals, and more at Olentangy Indian Caverns
- Explore the Magical Fairy Trail in Granville
- The best Dog Parks in Columbus
- Best photography locations in Columbus
Columbus Museum of Art
480 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614.221.6801
Yes – still free on Sundays!
Hello
I read a post online from 2017 regarding free admissions on Sundays. Does Sundays have free admission?
Please contact the museum directly for group reservations.
I work for the City of Columbus Rec and Parks and I would like to bring a group of 10…group rate