About the MAH

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The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) is a thriving community gathering place that offers a full slate of art and history exhibitions, visual and performing artworks, public festivals, education and outreach programs, and cultural celebrations in collaboration with our many partners.

Our vision is to ignite shared experiences and unexpected connections that enrich our community.

To achieve that, our mission is to bring people together through art and local history to explore our diverse cultures. We are guided by the following values:

• Engagement & Collaboration
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility
• Innovation & Experimentation
• Excellence & Rigor
• Accountability, Integrity & Responsibility

Read MAH 2026, our latest strategic plan.

A portrait in numbers

These statistics paint an interesting picture of the MAH. Get the full view by reading our 2022-23 Annual Report.

Visitors

17,000

2011

85,000

2023

Budget

$700K

2011

$2.0M

2023

Events

25

2011

200

2023

The People of the MAH

Featured Team Member

Director of Finance & Administration

Hans Wuerfmannsdobler

Hans Wuerfmannsdobler (he/him) has more than twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector. After two years of service in AmeriCorps, he worked in a variety of organizations including a political nonprofit, HandsOn Bay Area, and a…

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Featured Team Member

Director of Exhibitions & Programs

Marla Novo

Marla Novo (she/her) earned a Master of Arts in Art History from San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from UC Santa Cruz. She has over 25 years of experience curating exhibitions at non-profit institutions as…

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Featured Team Member

Guest Services Representative

Miles Backer

Miles Backer (he/him) is a recent graduate from UCSC with a major in history and minor in anthropology, specializing in the ancient world and the concept of magic. He hopes to eventually curate historical wonders and inspire new ways of…

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Featured Team Member

Education & Outreach Manager

Oscar Paz

Oscar Paz (he/him) was born and raised in the land of eternal spring, Guatemala. He brings his passion for community engagement and education to the MAH by activating exhibitions through diverse programming focusing on inclusivity and…

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Featured Team Member

Director of Operations & Facilities

Kevin Coullahan

Kevin Coullahan (he/him) has over 20+ years of design and creative experience from West Marine and frog design. Kevin received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from San Jose State University. Kevin enjoys spending time with his…

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Featured Team Member

Guest Services Representative

Jamilli Pacheco-Urquiza

Jamilli Pacheco-Urquiza (he/they) hails from New Jersey. He is currently working towards his M.F.A. in Social Documentation at UC Santa Cruz. When not at school or at the museum, they like to read, cook, and watch movies. Their favorite…

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Meet Us All

Work at the MAH

Join the crew behind Santa Cruz County’s most creative events, exhibitions, and partnerships. Check out job opportunities or apply to be a volunteer or intern today.

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