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.

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 2020-21 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

Guest Services Representative

Ezra Bowen

Ezra Bowen (they/them) was born the youngest of five to a blended working-class, immigrant family in Southern California. They originally came to Santa Cruz in 2007 in pursuit of higher education and graduated from UCSC with a B.A. in Film…

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Featured Team Member

Graphics & Content Creator

Michaela Clark-Nagaoka

Michaela Clark-Nagaoka (she/her) 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…

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MAH Staff Portraits 2020 Laurel Maxwell6

Featured Team Member

Guest Services Manager

Laurel Maxwell

Laurel Maxwell (she/her) is a Santa Cruz local who enjoys her work as Guest Services Manager as she gets to listen to the stories of guests who visit the MAH. Her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic made Laurel…

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Featured Team Member

Outreach & Inclusion Manager

Helen Aldana

Helen Aldana (they/them) 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…

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Featured Team Member

Systems Coordinator

Robert Ojeda

Robert Ojeda (he/him) earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California in Riverside. Prior to arriving at the MAH Robert worked in the financial industry before choosing to focus on his calling for building…

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Featured Team Member

Marketing Coordinator

Bianca Curiel

Bianca Curiel (she/her) is a graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York with a BBA in Strategic Design and Management. She is a multidisciplinary designer and creative, skilled in design concept and strategy for branding, marketing,…

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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