Executive director of New Museum Los Gatos steps down

After more than two years as executive director of New Museum Los Gatos, Ami Davis announced she is stepping down at the end of March to work in Santa Cruz.

“As you can imagine, it was a difficult decision to leave the incredible staff and board at NUMU,” Davis said in a statement. “However, after putting NUMU on a successful path forward, it’s time for new leadership to take the helm and continue the museum’s growth.”

Davis, who accepted a position with Arts Council Santa Cruz County, oversaw NUMU through the pandemic, boosted community engagement and membership retention and established new community partnerships. Last July, the museum received $1 million from Alyce and Mike Parsons — the largest donation NUMU has received to date—to establish an endowment fund.

“We are grateful for the vision and leadership that Ami has brought to NUMU over the past two years, and look forward to our continued success under new leadership,” said Jenn Schwartz, president of the museum’s board of directors.

Kimberly Snyder, who has worked with the museum since 2014, will serve as interim executive director. She worked alongside staff during its rebranding as New Museum Los Gatos, and as worked in nearly every department.

“While Ami will be missed, she has built an incredible foundation from which the museum will be able to continue to build,” Snyder said. “I feel confident that I can make a significant contribution to NUMU and our community and continue the legacy of being a place where the community can come together to share stories, experience thought-provoking art and learn from our history.”

Davis’ departure comes as the museum is requesting rent abatement from the town. The museum has to pay $25,000 of the more than $400,000 annual rent for the property, located at 110 E. Main St.

The museum has been in the town since 1956, when it operated out of an old firehouse it rented for $1 a year. But after moving to its new location in the old town library, the annual rent increased to $25,000.