Become a Member or Renew

To find out if you have a valid, membership contact the MAH membership team at membership@santacruzmah.org.

Show your membership card at participating businesses listed below for select discounts around Downtown Santa Cruz.

• 15% off at Cat. Cloud. Companion. in Abbott Square Market.
• 10% off at Cafe Roxa Santa Cruz.
• 15% off at Botanic and Luxe

The Family Membership level and above include up to two adults and four children under the age of 18.

Use your special promotional code at participating businesses listed below to claim special partner promotions around Santa Cruz.

• 10% off Santa Cruz Warriors merchandise online and $5 off single game tickets.
• 10% off Lookout Santa Cruz membership (plus 10% of membership donated back to the MAH)
• 10% off Foodsmith meal plans (plus 5% of subscription donated back to the MAH)

Please email membership@santacruzmah.org for your promotional code.

At the Fan level and above, you can visit over 1,000 museums through the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association.

NARM is there for you no matter where you are across the nation but check out some of our favorites you could visit today...

• Oakland Museum for groundbreaking exhibitions and radical stories of California's voices
• The de Young Museum for an amazing painting collection and beautiful views of Golden Gate Park
• Yerba Buena Center for the Arts for an unexpected adventure in visual and performing arts
• San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art for cutting edge exhibitions in the heart of downtown
• Seymour Marine Discovery Center to explore the wonders of our ocean and take in the beauty of the waves

Discover all participating museums here.

Renew your membership right here online by choosing the membership level you'd like above. You can also renew at any time in person at the front desk. Questions? Get in touch at membership@santacruzmah.org

When you purchase your membership, you have the option to choose an automatic renewal. You can change your preferences at any time by contacting membership@santacruzmah.org

Yes, the MAH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and your donation or membership is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The MAH's tax ID is 94-2718861.

Media photography, press video, and documentary queries should be directed to pr@santacruzmah.org.

Please silence your mobile phone and limit conversation in the galleries. Free Wi-Fi is available for your convenience.

Handheld cameras, video cameras, and camera phones are welcome in all public spaces as well as in the galleries, subject to the following:

• Photographs and videos are for personal use only and may not be sold.
• Professional shoots, including wedding, engagement, and modeling, are not permitted, unless authorization is secured in advance by contacting info@santacruzmah.org.
• Natural light only; no flash or other supplemental light.
• Selfie sticks are welcome in public outdoor spaces only. To protect the art and artifacts and for the safety and enjoyment of all guest, selfie sticks are not allowed inside.
• Tripods, monopods, handheld microphones, and other external equipment are not permitted.
• A safe distance of 24 inches must be maintained from all artwork, cases, platforms, and pedestals.

Some works of art in the galleries may be restricted; please pay attention to signage that prohibits photographs or video of individual works of art.

Photography and video of artworks on loan for changing exhibitions are sometimes prohibited by lenders. Please check at the entrances of changing exhibitions for any restrictions in those galleries. Where permitted, photography and video are subject to the same conditions described above. Outdoor sculptures and works of art displayed in the galleries may also be protected by copyright law.

Please note that guests to the MAH may be photographed, videotaped, or otherwise recorded. By attending, you grant the museum permission to use photographs and/or audiovisual recordings in which you appear for archival, documentary, publicity, advertising, or social media.

Images, audio, and video uploaded to social media are encouraged to be tagged with @santacruzmah.

The principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility apply to all aspects of the MAH’s operations. Verbally abusive, harassing, discriminatory, or threatening language, statements, or behavior toward MAH staff, volunteers, or other guests are prohibited.

Additionally, the following behavior is not permitted:

• Do not touch art or historical objects or introduce any harmful foreign substance to the museum.
• Do not enter any restricted areas, such as stepping beyond barriers or entering non-public spaces.
• No smoking or vaping inside the museum. Smoking and vaping must be done outside and at least 20 feet from any door.
• Do not consume chewing tobacco inside the museum.
• Do not engage in any activity that disrupts the experience for other guests or the operation of the museum, including but not limited to:
  • Unauthorized performances or tours
  • Unauthorized solicitation or demonstration
  • Loud conversation, including in person or the use of speaker phone

• Do not sit or stand on or lean over ledges or rails surrounding open-air balconies.
• Please be mindful of others by always keeping doorways and hallways accessible.

We ask that the following items be left at home or in your vehicles:

• Weapons, including guns and ammunition
• Knives, box cutters, and scissors
• Hazardous materials
• Flowers, plants, feathers, and balloons
• Flammable liquids
• Permanent markers and spray paint
• Bicycles and scooters (bikes can be secured at outside racks)
• Oversized luggage
• Electrically motorized boards known as ‘hoverboards’
• External speakers or sound amplification devices
• Anything designed for or capable of flight, such as drones
• Photography equipment other than a handheld camera. This includes tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, lighting, or cabling
• Art supplies other than graphite pencils and kneaded erasers

The MAH reserves the right to prohibit additional items with or without advance notice.

Multi-stall restrooms are located on each floor of the museum. All-gender restrooms are available on both the second and third floors.

The MAH is committed to keeping you safe during your visit. If you need help, please locate the nearest employee. Anyone can report suspicious or hazardous situations to the MAH by calling (831) 429-1964 . Please do not call this number for information about an emergency.

Evacuations
While rare, there are circumstances under which the MAH may need to be evacuated. You may hear or see the fire alarm or any MAH staff. Please follow instructions and leave the building as quickly and safely as possible through marked exits.

Shelter-in-Place
The MAH may issue a lockdown or shelter-in-place order when a threat exists outside of the museum. When this occurs, staff will move guests away from exterior doors and windows. Please follow instructions from MAH staff or first responders.

Sketching in pencil, colored pencil, and charcoal pencil is encouraged. However, the use of ballpoint pens, crayons, pastel, charcoal, and wet media is not permitted. While sketching, please be mindful of other guests in the galleries.

If you are coming to sketch on your own, please bring a clipboard or lap board as floors, walls, or pedestals cannot be used for writing, sketching, or drawing.

Umbrellas may not be carried in the galleries. Please place them in your purse or bag, or leave at the self-coat coat upon entry.