About the MAH

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

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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 2019-2020 Annual Report.

Visitors

17,000

2011

95,000

2020

Budget

$700K

2011

$1.8 Mil.

2020

Events

25

2011

600

2020

The People of the MAH

Featured Team Member

CAC Administrators of Color Fellow

Eric Mora

Eric Mora was born in Salinas, CA, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University. He is currently a Master of Public Administration candidate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS), where he…

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Featured Team Member

Outreach & Inclusion Manager

Helen Aldana

Helen Aldana is a hybrid between a balaenoptera musculus and sequoia sempervirens who enjoys creating safe and inspiring spaces. Helen received a BA in Art and Philosophy at the University of California Santa Cruz and is grateful to have…

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Featured Team Member

Guest Services Representative

Jennifer Villegas-Naranjo

Jennifer received a BA in the Fine Arts from UCSC in the Spring of 2020. She started her journey at the MAH as a Youth Programs Intern in the fall of 2017, which later lead to her current position in Guests Services in the Summer of 2018.…

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Featured Team Member

Systems Coordinator

Paul Conte

Paul Conte earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz and an associate's degree in Sociology from Cabrillo College. Before working at the MAH they completed an archivist internship for the Lucas Artists Program at…

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Featured Team Member

Graphics & Content Creator

Michaela Clark-Nagaoka

Michaela takes the scenic route through life which included earning her BA degree in three different locations: the east coast, southern California and on a boat in the Atlantic ocean. After graduating she moved back to her hometown of…

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Featured Team Member

Director of Development & Communications

Nikki Patterson

Nikki Patterson (she/her) has 6 years of nonprofit and development experience in Santa Cruz as well as over 10 years of management and consulting work in the hospitality/food & beverage industry. Other professional attributes include…

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Meet Us All

Our History

The Evolution of the MAH

From our humble beginnings to the dynamic space we are today, the MAH has adapted to meet the needs of Santa Cruz County.

Dig into our history of partnerships, perseverance, and resilience to discover how we became one of the country's most creative and forward-thinking community museums.

Our Story

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.

Careers

Other Ways to Get Involved