Over the past year, we reached out in myriad ways—stretching through the margins and across boundaries to connect people, art, and history well beyond the museum walls.
In 2022, our team has been working tirelessly to refresh and enliven the MAH inside and out. We completed the first year of our new strategic plan, aligned with key stakeholders and constituencies, introduced new content, programming, and collection highlights, extended our reach and impact, and so much more.
Today the MAH is proud to play a central role in Santa Cruz County’s thriving creative industries. Located in the downtown center of Santa Cruz, our museum sits at the crossroads of arts, culture, business, and economic development. As a center for humanities and interdisciplinary work, we bring art, history, and cultural experiences to diverse audiences. As a center for business and commerce, we use creative practice to promote place identity, enhance livability, grow engagement, drive tourism, and invigorate the entrepreneurial ecosystem. As a center for community and exchange, we cultivate ideas, amplify voices, and inspire innovation.
In 2023, the MAH is proud to offer a lineup of inventive offerings—many co-presented with partners and collaborators—that will continue to breathe new life into our cultural scene and public spaces.
Upcoming Exhibitions:
Bay of Life: From Wind to Whales, an exhibition of work by National Geographic photographer Frans Lanting and collaborator Chris Eckstrom that connects land and sea.
The Writing on the Wall, a traveling project by Hank Willis Thomas and Dr. Baz Dreisinger that explores the principles of freedom, justice, and humanity.
HYBYCOZO, an installation of laser-cut sculptures by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu that highlights geometry, mathematics, and patterns in traditional art forms.
Frequency, the return of our 4-day biennial festival of light, sound, and digital culture with site-responsive work, live performances, and immersive experiences from local and international artists.
Stream, a new light-based work by Belgian artist couple Tom and Lien Dekyvere that explores the relationships between organic and artificial structures.
Beyond the Grave, 2022, Evergreen Cemetery, photo by R.R. Jones.
Upcoming Programs & Events:
Next year, the MAH continues to provide space and resources with our research-based residency program, which in 2022-23 supports the work of historian/researcher Luna HighJohn-Bey, curator/music producer Andrew C. Smith, and artists/technologists Tom and Lien Dekyvere. We bring back Beyond the Grave—our popular performance series at Evergreen Cemetery, after-hours happenings in Late Night @ the MAH, as well as literary readings, film screenings, and artist and historian talks at the museum.
We also plan to introduce our new Kincentricity garden project with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band along with a full slate of public programming—from K-12 field trips and bilingual family offerings to our Blue Plaque Landmark Awards.
“The MAH contributes to our region’s livability and vibrancy by cultivating ideas, amplifying voices, and inspiring innovation.”
Robb Woulfe, Executive Director
Ultimately, the MAH is about celebrating the human experience. By offering forums for a wide range of creative expression and subject matter, along with space to collaborate, create, research, and explore, the MAH provides residents and guests with shared, real-time experiences that connect us to our inner artists and storytellers, to one another, and to the world beyond.
And finally, thank you to everyone who showed up for us this past year. We are grateful for your time, commitment, and support. For those interested in making a gift to the MAH, please click here.
—Robb Woulfe, Executive Director
Support the MAH
Help fuel a strong and resilient MAH by becoming a member or making a donation. Your contribution directly supports the future of the museum and connecting our community through art, history, and culture.
