Laying the Groundwork for a National Movement
Picture this: It’s the year 2012, and Nathan Majoros is at the start of his career. Having recently completed a fine arts degree and a master’s in art teaching, he’s exploring job opportunities when he comes across a posting on the New York Foundation for the Arts website. Drawn in by the organization’s mission and grassroots beginnings, he can’t help but want to learn more.
After landing the position, Nathan anxiously takes his first steps into Lifetime Arts’ compact office in New Rochelle, New York. He’s immediately greeted like an old friend as Lifetime Arts’ Co-Founders Maura O’Malley and Ed Friedman put him at ease. He’s introduced to a small, but mighty staff of artists and educators, all working towards what was still a relatively new idea: creative aging.
“I had no idea what creative aging was,” he recalls. “I sort of knew that it was art, and it was for older people, and I liked art and older folks.” What began as curiosity quickly became a 14-year career.
At the time, Lifetime Arts was proving that high-quality arts programs for older adults could thrive in libraries and community settings. Nathan was quick to step into a project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, helping support creative aging programs across New York State.
“I learned so much from Maura and Ed. They taught me
everything that I know about this work.”
Those early years felt like building something from the ground up alongside people who believed deeply in its potential. Everyone wore multiple hats, creating resources, testing ideas, and figuring things out together. The spirit was simple: say yes, learn along the way, and keep moving forward.
For Nathan, it felt like coming home to work he already believed in. “I’ve always been drawn to community arts in general,” he says. “Back in college, we got to see a lot of examples of people doing really radical art in the community.”
As Lifetime Arts grew into a national leader in creative aging, Nathan saw countless examples of the field’s impact. He watched older adults discover new creative abilities, form lasting connections, and gain confidence through the arts. Those moments reinforced what he had long suspected: creativity doesn’t diminish with age—it continues to help people grow, connect, and thrive.
Nathan’s Leadership: Less About Systems, More About People
Along the way, Nathan discovered that leadership is less about systems and more about people. “I really do think prioritizing people and prioritizing the humanity of it all is paramount,” he says.
That lesson shaped how he approached partnerships, consulting, and collaboration. While contracts and deliverables were always part of the work, the relationships mattered most.
“The people we collaborate and work with… it has always felt like we’re learning from each other,” he says.
“It has never felt one-sided.”
When asked what he is most proud of after 14 years, his answer goes beyond a single project, program, or milestone. “I think the thing that I’m most proud about is the relationships that were formed, and then continue.”
For him, success can be measured by the number of partners, collaborators, funders, and colleagues who have remained connected over the years. “That feels kind of incredible, to maintain relationships for that long.”
A Legacy Beyond Creative Aging
As creative aging continues to gain momentum nationwide, Nathan’s hope for its future is surprisingly simple.
“My hope for the future of creative aging is that the field continues to thrive while its core values become commonplace,” he says. “That creative aging practices will be fully integrated into the way we think about lifelong learning, creativity, and community engagement.”
That belief—that creativity should remain a lifelong practice—extends to Nathan’s own life. An avid woodworker, he looks forward to returning to painting, printmaking, and music, and sharing those experiences with his children. “There’s always something new to learn, a new technique to try,” he says.
As he reflects on his time here, gratitude comes up again and again for colleagues, partners, and the opportunity to witness life-changing moments through the arts. “It’s been such a joy,” he says. “The times that, you know, crying at work because something is so incredibly beautiful, it’s marvelous.” Nathan leaves with a perspective that feels fitting for both an educator and a community builder: meaningful work is ultimately about people, the relationships we create, and the joy we share along the way.
The legacy he leaves behind lives on in the countless people, partnerships, and possibilities he helped create. Our staff will proudly carry that legacy forward, guided by the same dedication, optimism, and generosity of spirit that Nathan brought to Lifetime Arts each and every day.
