The MAH is a different kind of museum, one that focuses on building community in Santa Cruz County. We build community through exhibitions, events, and projects that connect people to art, history, ideas, and each other. We believe that art and history are for everyone, and we work hard to offer experiences that connect people from many walks of life: across generations, ethnicity, and background. That means multi-cultural festivals, exhibitions filled with wonder, partnerships throughout the county, and surprising, fun connections with people and ideas across our community.
Over the past few years, we've received local awards and international attention for our innovative approach to community building. We've tripled our attendance. Expanded our program impact. Built up our board, staff, and budget. Our work has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, and we were honored by the Institute for Museum and Library Services in 2015 as one of the 15 top community-oriented museums in the nation. We're experimenting and growing all the time with our community of staff, trustees, volunteers, members, donors, and creative collaborators.
The MAH is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. We believe it is vital to build community and that art and history are killer tools to use to do it. We also believe that building an equitable community means welcoming everyone, regardless of how much they can pay or what language they speak. We invite you to join the MAH community and help ignite shared experiences and unexpected connections across Santa Cruz County.