The Vibrant Arts & Music Scene in Columbia, SC

Mid-sized cities across the United States are experiencing a cultural revival. It’s no longer necessary to travel to a large city to discover new artists and musicians. Columbia, SC, is no exception. Within the city limits of South Carolina’s capital city, you’ll discover many opportunities to experience its bustling arts and music scene. We’re highlighting a few here, but there is significantly more to uncover.

Experiencing Art in Nature

For a family-friendly experience that is open year-round, visit Riverbanks Botanical Garden. Part of adjacent Riverbanks Zoo, the gardens opened in 1995, and you’ll find displays of both natural and manmade art throughout. The bog garden is the first garden you’ll reach after entering the Riverbanks Botanical Garden. It is a wonderful work of art with waterfalls, plants, and rock formations. In the Asian Garden, you will find amazing Asian-inspired artwork on display as a complement to plants that native to Asia. Throughout this calming garden area, you will find water features and bridges. In addition to the two garden areas we’ve highlighted, all of the garden areas are full of works of art that are incorporated in hardscapes, walkways and sculptures as well as sprinkled throughout the garden itself. Many local residents choose Riverbanks Botanical Garden as a location for special events, due to the surrounding beauty so close to the city.

And if you brought your children, no visit to the garden is complete without spending time at Waterfall Junction, Riverbanks Botanical Garden’s own mini water park.

Finding the Music & Art in Columbia

There are many places to experience live music in Columbia and surrounding areas. Larger venues like Township Auditorium and the Koger Center host nationally-known musicians, bands and other performing arts ensembles. There are also plenty of places nearby that offer casual music performances in a more intimate (though often rowdy!) atmosphere, including Bill’s Pickin Parlor, The Senate, Tin Roof, and New Brookland Tavern. You’ll want to call or visit the location’s website in advance to determine if tickets are needed or if there is a cover charge. The University of South Carolina’s School of Music also offers free recitals and performances at various times throughout the week.
You’ll also find performances by local artists at many bars on Friday and Saturday. Take a stroll down the sidewalks along State Street or Main Street in the evenings and you will hear it. Stop in and listen if you’d like!
If you’d like to eat while you listen, there are some restaurants that have live music, often without a cover charge. Consider starting at Upstairz Lounge (located inside of Pearlz Oyster Bar) or the Chayz Lounge in Nonnah’s. It’s very common to find bluegrass or jazz tunes played there on the weekends by some local artists.

Let’s not forget the visual arts. What better place to find art than at the Columbia Museum of Art? Here you can stroll through their galleries, some temporary and others permanent, to view art in many different styles. This art museum is a collection of various media art and not just canvas. At any given time, there are several different exhibits here to enjoy and the nearby parking is free. Mark your calendar to visit the next time it’s raining or too hot or cold to enjoy being outdoors. If the weather is nice, you don’t even have to go inside to enjoy the art, as there are sculptures on the outside of the museum that are amazing.

if ART Gallery is another wonderful cultural experience that combines visual art and music. The overall feel of the place is a Chicago-style jazz scene. Listen to jazz music while discovering the works of contemporary artists.

Art Around Town

There are various sculptures sprinkled throughout Columbia, SC. A local favorite is “the busted plug”, located on 1404 Taylor St. If the name isn’t a giveaway, the sculpture is a larger-than-life fire hydrant. Nearby this sculpture there is a wall that was painted to look as if you can drive directly through it! While it is an optical illusion and the fire hydrant won’t provide much help in an emergency, they are both unique pieces of art that make a great photo opp.