Membership Policies & FAQs

Membership Policies

Why Join?
Membership pays for itself within two visits! See what benefits your new membership entitles you to on our membership page.

Get an entire year of access to art and culture with free admission to the Columbus Museum of Art and the Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art, invitations to member-exclusive events, and free or discounted tickets to public programs.

Your membership contribution provides critical operating support that sustains the Museum’s community programs, preserves and expands our collection, supports our accessibility efforts and our ability to bring world-class exhibitions to Central Ohio.

All Membership Sales are Final

Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable.

CMA will not prorate membership fees or apply discounts retroactively.

Pricing and Benefits

To view current pricing and benefits please click here. CMA reserves the right to alter member benefits and levels.

Memberships are Active Immediately Upon Purchase

Your membership becomes active immediately upon purchase. Please allow one to two weeks for receipt of your membership card(s) in the mail.

You may visit before cards are received by providing our Welcome Desk staff with your name and a photo ID. If you do not receive your membership card within two weeks, please contact the Membership Office at membership@cmaohio.org or 614.629.0344.

Member Privacy

The privacy of our members is important. CMA does not share, sell, or trade any information you provide (including contact information and giving history) with any other person or business.

Right to Revoke

Columbus Museum of Art is committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and safe for all. If a member disrespects or endangers any visitor, staff member, property, or artwork, CMA’s Membership Office reserves the right to revoke their membership.

Membership FAQs

How do I join?

There are four ways to join:

1. Online: Visit our membership page
2. In person: Visit our Welcome Desk
3. By phone: 614.629.0344
4. By mail: Membership brochures can be taken from the Welcome Desk, completed, and sent with payment by mail to:
Columbus Museum of Art
Membership Office
480 E Broad St
Columbus, OH 43215

What if I want to gift a loved one a membership?

CMA memberships make excellent gifts! Please visit our Gift Membership page to learn more.

What membership level should I get?

Every level has unique benefits. Please visit our Membership page or contact our Membership Office to learn more about membership benefits.

How can I contact the Membership Office?

The Membership Office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM and can be reached by calling 614.629.0344 or emailing membership@cmaohio.org. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response.

Does the Museum offer any discounts on memberships?

The Museum offers a membership discount of 10% for seniors (60+), educators, and students. This offer only applies to Individual, Family, and Reciprocal level memberships. For more information or to receive these discounts, visit the CMA Welcome Desk or contact the Membership Office at 614.629.0344 or emailing membership@cmaohio.org. Those who wish to receive one of these discounts must present a valid photo ID, educator ID or proof of active class enrollment. Discounts are not available online and may not be applied retroactively or combined with other promotions.

Can I apply the cost of admission towards the cost of membership?

Yes. To take advantage of this offer, please see a Welcome Desk associate. You must purchase the membership on the same day as your admission. Only one receipt may be applied. If the price of your admission exceeds the price of your chosen membership level, CMA will not provide any reimbursement to cover the overage. The value of vouchers cannot be applied to the cost of membership. Other discounts may be excluded.

How and when will I receive my membership card(s)?

Upon the purchase or renewal of a membership, CMA mails new cards to the provided address. This process can take up to two weeks.

How many cards will I receive?

If you have an Individual Membership, you will receive one card. Family Level Memberships and above allow up to two named members. To receive two cards, you must specify a second named member on your order or renewal paperwork.

Can I have multiple names on one card?

No. Only one name may be printed on each card.

Do I need my member card(s) to get in?

No. Our Welcome Desk staff can find your membership in our system if you provide them with your name and a photo ID.

Note: Reciprocal Members will need to present their card when visiting other qualifying institutions to receive Reciprocal benefits.

How do I replace a lost, stolen, or damaged member card?
Our Welcome desk can assist you in requesting a new card. You can also request a new card by calling 614.629.0344 or emailing membership@cmaohio.org. CMA does not currently charge for replacement cards. Please allow up to two weeks for replacement cards to arrive by mail.

Can I bring guests?

Yes. Guests enjoy free admission. Members must accompany their guests during their visit.
Visit our Membership page to see how many guests your level of membership allows.

Do my guests need a card?

No. We do not issue membership cards or physical passes for guests. So long as an active, qualified member accompanies a guest they will not be charged for general or special exhibition admission.

How long are memberships good for?

Memberships become active immediately after payment is processed. They are valid for a full year (12 months). CMA Memberships always expire on the last day of the month regardless of the date of purchase.

If I renew my membership early, will I lose any time?

No. We always add a full 12 months to the upcoming expiration date of your membership when you renew.

What if I want to upgrade my membership?

To upgrade your membership please visit our Welcome Desk, call 614.629.0344 or email membership@cmaohio.org. If your membership is within the renewal window (meaning it is set to expire within the next three months) we will simply renew your membership at the price of the new level. This change will take effect immediately and remain valid through the following year.

If your membership is not within the renewal window, we will only charge the difference between the two levels; however, no time will be added to your membership.

Where can I use the Reciprocal Membership?

The Reciprocal Membership gives you access to special perks and discounts at over 1,000 museums in North America. To find a participating institution, visit the North American Reciprocal Museum Network’s page. We recommend contacting the institution you wish to visit to determine their offered benefits. Benefits vary by institution.

I am a member. How do I register for events or renew my membership online?

When you register for a program a pop-up window will prompt you to either sign-in or create an account. Once you do so any applicable member discounts will automatically be applied at check out.

I’m having trouble logging in online. What can I do?

For security purposes CMA staff do not have access to your password information. If you are having trouble signing in, we recommend hitting “forgot password.” The password reset email may go to junk or spam. If you check these folders and still do not have a reset link, please contact the Membership Office by calling 614.629.0344 or emailing membership@cmaohio.org for further assistance.

How do I know if my membership is up to date? / Why did I receive a renewal notice by mail if I recently renewed it?

If you recently renewed your membership, please disregard any renewal notice that follows in the coming weeks. Due to lag times with postage, there is a chance you may receive a renewal notice that was sent before your payment was processed at our Welcome Desk, over the phone, or online. To check the status of your membership please consult your member card or contact the Membership Office at membership@cmaohio.org or 614.629.0344.

Can my membership automatically renew?

Yes. This can only be done with a credit card. Please note your desire to enroll in auto-renewal on your membership order or renewal paperwork. You may also contact the Membership Office. The month your membership is due to expire, CMA will send you a notification via email reminding you of the upcoming charge which will take place on the last day of the month. To request cancellation of auto-renewal please contact the Membership Office before your credit card is charged by calling 614.629.0344 or emailing membership@cmaohio.org. Please note CMA Memberships are non-refundable if you miss this window.

What if I have a change of address/email/phone number?

Please contact the Membership Office by calling 614.629.0344 or emailing membership@cmaohio.org with your new contact information.

I want to pay for my membership through a foundation or donor advised fund. How do I do that?

Please contact your specific foundation or fund to process your gift. Checks may be made out to Columbus Museum of Art and must specify you as the donor, and membership as the purpose of the gift.
Please note: Only Individual, Family, and Reciprocal Memberships are 100% tax-deductible*. To comply with IRS regulations, you will need to write a separate, personal check to cover the non-charitable portion of any membership Supporter Level or above*. Please consult our Member Benefits chart or contact the Membership Office by calling 614.629.0344 or emailing membership@cmaohio.org to learn more.

*Consult a tax advisor for your personal applicability

I joined a Special Interest Group. Will I receive a card?

No. Special Interest Groups do not have their own unique member cards. To learn more about CMA Special Interest Groups please click here.