Featured Millennial: Nicole Totaro

 Nicole Totaro is the featured Millennial

One of the amazing things about Saratoga County is the level and depth of its resources, while still remaining a relatively small, low populated community. From its rich history to its relationship with the theater and arts, Saratoga County is an epicenter for great minds to come together and produce amazing things.

Our first featured Millennial is 25-year-old Shenendehowa graduate and Clifton Park native Nicole Totaro.

While the idea of the Millennial Generation for many is one of a 20-something-year-old sitting on the couch playing video games and still living at home, Nicole separates herself from this cliche through the work she has actively pursued over the last six years.

“I was encouraged throughout my youth to pursue art and my creativity by my parents,” says Nicole.

“Shenendehowa Art Teacher Susan Herrick pushed me during my senior year to really excel as an artist and showed me the potential I never knew I had. She helped me at the perfect time which allowed me to have a strong enough portfolio to become an art major in college.”

Studying Art History at Hartwick College and developing her career as an Exhibitions Assistant for a non-profit organization, Nicole has chosen to use her experience and talent to help Alzheimer’s patients in a way that utilizes the arts to ease the pains and stresses of those suffering from this devastating disease.

“My college photography professor knew of my interests and gave me a newspaper article about Alzheimer's programming in museums as a different form of therapy for these patients,” says Nicole.

“This seemed like an amazing program.”

Drawing motivation from her professors, Nicole has since dedicated her work to expanding similar programs to museums throughout the country, including Saratoga County.

“There seems to be a need for an increase in access programming across the area, but focusing on one area at a time may be the best way to see what works best at each institution,” says Nicole.

Working with one museum at a time in its education department and specializing and developing their Access Programming is how this concept is going to improve and grow.

For those with Alzheimer’s patients in their family, this type of program is exactly what the doctor ordered. Numerous studies have shown that art therapy is a critical creative outlet for a person with Alzheimer's disease, allowing them to express themselves in non-verbal ways.

“I am looking forward to seeing how I can focus on access programs within my graduate program,” Nicole says.

From researching various programs and how they scale to a community’s needs and resources to applying and fighting for grants to support these efforts, Nicole’s work is a phenomenal example of the Millennials statistically proven dedication to community and life.

The book Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation, by Neil Howe and William Strauss, is often cited when discussing the Millennials’ as engaged, high-achieving, and confident, among other "core traits."

Nicole’s work ethic and resume certainly fits this profile.

For those who are interested in developing their own experience in art therapy or helping the cause, Nicole says that volunteering at museums, participating in Alzheimer’s events, and donating to various organizations are all ways Millennials can get involved.

“Once you have a good understanding about how the programs work, you can figure out how your skills can be utilized by these organizations.”