Join us as we raise funds to renovate, modernize, and expand Santa Cruz’s oldest museum. The Bright Future campaign will advance our immersive exhibits, programs, and collections, sustaining and deepening the love of nature and learning held by all who visit us.
We’ll adapt by updating the Museum’s physical infrastructure to preserve biological and ethnographic collections and invest in the health and safety of Museum visitors and staff. Repairing the Museum’s foundation and refurbishing HVAC, air filtration, plumbing, electrical, and fire suppression systems will align the Museum with best practices in earthquake safety, flood protection, and public
health.
We’ll evolve by modernizing the visitor experience through new technology, updated physical spaces and refreshed programming. Additional ADA-compliant pathways, parking, and entrances, plus an elevator, will improve access to all indoor and outdoor spaces. A purpose-built classroom and event space with new audio/visual systems will elevate visitors’ interactive experiences while allowing education programs, community events and museum operations to take place simultaneously.
And we’ll advance by extending and reimagining the Museum’s exhibit spaces and community areas. A newly envisioned story arc will tie individual displays to the big picture of our region’s natural and cultural history. An expanded footprint will include a permanent location for rotating exhibits, inviting repeat visitation. Updated exhibit design will extend into the Garden Learning Center where visitors can enjoy our region’s native plant life, even when the Museum is closed. Additional, flexible workspace for staff and volunteers will bring inspiration, efficiency, and impact while attracting best-in-class colleagues to join us in our mission!
This project will be really important in helping the next generation understand the natural history of our area because it’s a pretty spectacular story!
~ Walt, Campaign Committee Member
This is a much needed project as the population and demographics continue to evolve in Santa Cruz.
The museum should reflect the prominence of nature-based education, which is a fundamental value of the community. Thanks for all you do.
~ Tremain, City Partner
Very excited to see this project unfold!
~ Kailee, Educator
Upcoming Events and Public Meetings
| Event | Date and Time | Location |
| City Parks & Recreation Commission Mtg. (Building project partnership update will be presented) | Monday, October 14 from 4 – 6 p.m. | City Council Chambers 809 Center St., Santa Cruz, California |
| City Council Mtg. (Building project partnership update will be presented) | Tuesday, October 22 at 11:30 a.m. | City Council Chambers 809 Center St., Santa Cruz, California |
Your Questions Answered:
How can I help?
Subscribe! Volunteer! Give! Stay informed about campaign events and announcements by subscribing to our e-newsletters via our homepage. Please contact us at campaign@santacruzmuseum.org to explore campaign volunteer opportunities. And of course, we are relying on all those who love the museum to give as generously as you are able in support of this effort. If you’d like to consider a special campaign gift, contact us at campaign@santacruzmuseum.org to schedule a call or visit to so we can learn about your interests! Thank you!
How was community feedback collected?
In the spring and summer of 2024, Museum leadership held a number of community meetings and webinars, open to all our email subscribers. Feedback was also collected via online survey. While we are now engaged in public commission hearings and moving toward permit application, you are invited to attend the public meetings posted in the events section of this page and direct any questions to project@santacruzmuseum.org!
Who owns the property?
We are partnering with the City of Santa Cruz throughout this project. Though the City owns the land and the historic building, the Museum—an independent nonprofit organization since 2009—will continue its operations on a long-term lease.
Will the historic building and whale sculpture be preserved?
The architecture of the expansion will align with standards for historic preservation, complementing the historic building and unique character of the neighborhood. The historic entrance will be preserved and refurbished through this project. Our recently updated historical marker and our beloved and iconic whale will be maintained and refurbished as needed.
Will traffic and parking be impacted?
Because the project’s primary purpose is to improve current operations, we don’t anticipate any lasting impacts to parking or traffic, including school buses, though accessible parking will be added! The Museum may have an increase in individual visitors in response to exhibit enhancements.
Will the the Museum be closed during building?
Museum programming—both exhibits and offsite programs—will continue during the building phase, leveraging a mixture of pop-up locations, semi-permanent exhibit spaces, outdoor and virtual learning.
Questions? Comments? Email: project@santacruzmuseum.org with building project questions or campaign@santacruzmuseum.org with questions about giving to the Bright Future campaign!