Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume opens May 3rd at the State Museum
April 15, 2025
Plus, guests can enjoy a series of related events and programs this summer
On Saturday, May 3, a fan-favorite blockbuster exhibition created by the Walt Disney Archives, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, opens to the public at the South Carolina State Museum. The critically acclaimed showcase features 70 costumes and highlights the innovative ways some iconic characters like Cinderella, Maleficent, and Jack Sparrow are brought to life through the artistry and imagination of their costumes.
“We are thrilled to bring these extraordinary costumes to South Carolina and invite guests to experience them up close,” said State Museum Executive Director Amy Bartow-Melia. “This exhibition promises to ignite cherished memories for visitors of all ages.”
Representing nearly six decades of film and television production at The Walt Disney Company, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume showcases costumes worn by stars such as Bette Davis, Glenn Close, and Angelina Jolie. Guests will also get insight into how costumes evolve from concept to reality with quotes and detailed written accounts featured throughout the exhibition from some of Hollywood’s preeminent designers.
The exhibition is organized into three Disney archetypes: heroes, villains, and the spaces between—a category reserved for the antiheroes whose fascinating journeys make them among some of Disney’s most complex characters. Here, guests can get an up-close look at the artistry on display in some of the iconic costumes of Disney live-action characters such as Mary Poppins from Mary Poppins Returns (2018), Queen Narissa from Enchanted (2007), and Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006). The “Cinderella’s Workshop” gallery examines how several designers have applied their own unique style and artistry to different interpretations of the fairy tale heroine—from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (
Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume will run from May 3 to October 26, 2025. General admission to the South Carolina State Museum is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $10 for children aged 3-12. Infants 2 and under are free. Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume blockbuster exhibition tickets are an additional charge: $20 for adults, $15 for children aged 3-12, and $18 for seniors and military. State Museum member-priced blockbuster exhibition tickets are $14 for adults and $10 for children.
Upcoming programs and events featuring Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume
Wed., April 30 from 6 – 9 p.m.
Friends of Finn level members are invited to an exclusive preview celebration event. Attendees will be able to see the exhibition early, enjoy a presentation by the Walt Disney Archives about the creation of the exhibition, and more. For RSVP information, visit scmuseum.org.
Fri., May 2 from 6 – 9 p.m.
State Museum members will get exclusive early entry to the Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume exhibition. Members will also receive their own souvenir item, and light refreshments will be available. Tickets for Member Night are available for purchase at scmuseum.org.
Sat., May 10 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
South Carolina teachers will receive free general admission for themselves and up to three guests. In addition, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume tickets will be discounted to only $14 for teachers and $10 for children (ages 3-12). More information, including registration details, can be found at scmuseum.org.
Sat., May 10 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume will be open from 9 – 10 a.m. for guests who would benefit from a quieter, sensory friendly, and disability-adapted experience. General admission for these special morning programs is free, but the purchase of an additional ticket is required to see the Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume exhibition. Online pre-registration is also encouraged at scmuseum.org.
Fri., May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, and Sept. 19 from 5 – 9 p.m.
This event series will run monthly throughout the summer and offers guests after-hours museum access to explore all four floors of exhibitions (including Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume). Each evening will also feature a screening of a film whose costumes are on display in the blockbuster exhibition. The series will kick-off on May 16 with a chance to see the live-action Disney film Cinderella (2015). Snacks will be available for purchase from The Crescent Café by The Food Academy and the Museum Store. A full schedule of dates, featured films and ticket information can be found here.
About the South Carolina State Museum
For nearly four decades, the South Carolina State Museum has been committed to collecting, preserving and showcasing the rich culture, art, and natural history of the Palmetto State. Through a comprehensive collection of over 1.1 million objects and four floors of stimulating exhibitions and displays housed within the historic Columbia Mills Building, the State Museum provides educational environments that entertain, inspire imagination and creativity, and enrich the lives of millions of visitors and generations of students from across South Carolina. For more information about the museum, visit scmuseum.org.
About the Walt Disney Archives
For more than 50 years, the Walt Disney Archives has carefully safeguarded the most treasured items from The Walt Disney Company’s history, including original scripts, movie props and costumes, Walt Disney’s correspondence and script notes, theme park artifacts, merchandise, millions of archival photographs, and many of Walt’s personal effects. Founded by Disney Legend Dave Smith in 1970, the Walt Disney Archives is a vital resource for every part of Disney, as well as an important research center for Disney scholars, researchers, and writers. The Archives also shares its countless pieces with Disney fans everywhere through its exhibitions and close association with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club.
