The Columbia Music Festival Association projects, programs and successes are the result of people working together for the good of the community – with an eye toward the future, not a myopic view of any single arts entity. CMFA is a partner with local government and the community. CMFA promotes active volunteerism for the arts.

More than 175 people serve in leadership roles on the affiliate and partner Boards of Directors. Columbia Music Festival Association is itself governed by a board of directors made up of volunteers from the community, representatives from the affiliate groups and commissioners appointed directly to CMFA by both Richland County and the City of Columbia. More than 600 people work with CMFA “to make the arts happen” each year.