CVB launches CulturePASS for Columbia tourists

The Columbia Museum of Art announces the launch of the Columbia Visitors Bureau (CVB) CulturePASS combination ticket. For $23, the CulturePASS provides discounted adult admission to the South Carolina State Museum (SCSM), Historic Columbia, and the CMA, all three of which are situated in the heart of South Carolina’s capital city, near hotels, shopping, dining, and entertainment.

The CulturePASS is the result of a community partnership between the CVB, Historic Columbia, SCSM, and the CMA. Through the collaborative efforts of these organizations, tourists now have a great way to get to know Columbia without stretching their wallets.

“Karen [Brosius, CMA executive director] approached us this past spring with the idea to collaborate on a ticket pass for cultural enthusiasts coming to Columbia modeled after our CoolPASS, which is geared for visitors traveling with young children,” says Kelly Barbrey, vice president of sales & marketing with the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism. “We loved the idea, as did the South Carolina State Museum and Historic Columbia. We’re especially excited to launch it right now, as it makes a perfect gift for those hosting out-of-town friends and family this holiday season.”

These organizations work together to offer the cultural enthusiast a well-rounded picture of Columbia. Historic Columbia focuses on the historic and cultural heritage of Columbia and Richland County and is well known for managing multiple historic house museums, including the Robert Mills House, the Hampton-Preston Mansion, the Woodrow Wilson Family Home, and the Mann-Simons Site.

“We are proud to be part of the CulturePASS program and to partner with other cultural institutions in Columbia,” says Robin Waites, executive director at Historic Columbia. “This program gives visitors a great opportunity to experience our city’s diverse attractions and explore history, science, and the arts.”

As the primary storyteller of the history of South Carolina, SCSM concentrates on the art, natural history, science and technology, and cultural history of the state and features a 55-foot digital planetarium, 4-D theater, and state-of-the-art observatory.

“We are excited to be a part of another great ticketing opportunity for tourists to our region,” says Merritt M. McNeely, director of marketing at SCSM. “We continue to see great success with the Zoo and EdVenture on the CoolPASS and look forward to being a part of the new CulturePASS that includes two of our very important cultural attractions in town, Historic Columbia and the Columbia Museum of Art. We believe in the power of cultural collaboration and know that the more we do together, the better our city becomes.”

The CMA is the state’s premier international art museum, introducing visitors to global art through its programs, travelling exhibitions, and collection focusing on American, European, Asian, and Contemporary art.

All three attractions provide opportunities for visitors to enjoy themselves through history, science, art, and architecture in the capital city.

“Columbia is a growing and vibrant community filled with ways to explore your curiosity,” says Brosius. “The more that it is recognized as an exciting and dynamic place to visit, the more visitors will come.”

The CulturePASS is available for purchase online through the CVB website or in person at the Columbia Regional Visitors Center, located inside the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center at 1101 Lincoln St. in downtown Columbia, S.C. Tickets must be redeemed within five days of first use.

To purchase tickets, visit columbiacvb.com/things-to-do/culturepass.

For more information on Historic Columbia, visit historiccolumbia.org.

For more information on the SCSM, visit scmuseum.org.

For more information on the CMA, visit columbiamuseum.org.