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Celebrating 75 years of the CMA

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Black and white photo of two men unpacking boxes with paintings

Dr. Jack Craft (right), the CMA’s first director, unpacking crates for the museum’s first exhibition.

Photo provided by the Columbia Museum of Art

Did you know the historic Thomas Taylor House was the original location of the Columbia Museum of Art?

The museum opened its doors in this space on March 23, 1950, with a historical portrait exhibition from the National Gallery of Art titled “The Face of American History.”

Fast forward 75 years, and the CMA is undertaking an exciting anniversary project to revamp gallery lighting throughout the museum. (Want a peek behind the scenes? Check out an upcoming hard hat tour.)

Learn more about the 75th

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