Megan Nicoletti
The Haviland Society comprises alumni, families, and donors who support Arts at a leadership level. As the new chair of a committee formed to promote the group, Arts Trustee Megan Nicoletti is tasked with increasing membership, planning events, and furthering Arts’ mission to advance human creativity. You might recognize Megan’s name from a recent profile in the Winter 2023 issue of Edge Magazine, along with fellow trustees and next-generation philanthropists Peter Haas and Nat Hamilton BFA ’07 (Photography), or on real estate listing around town as an agent with Serving.
From Edge Magazine, Winter 2024 issue
Megan Nicoletti takes her role as an influential young Philadelphian seriously. She has already served as a volunteer with the Philadelphia Ballet, the Barnes Foundation, and Project HOME.
“For any organization, it’s really important to get the next generation involved,” she said. “Whenever I join a board, I love to connect other younger people to the cause.”
Nicoletti grew up outside Philadelphia and has stayed in the city because she loves the region. As a real estate agent at Serhant Societe Select, she enjoys helping others find a home in her beloved city.
Nicoletti has always been interested in design and fashion and has kept sketchbooks of her ideas. Nicoletti’s grandmother, Frances M. Maguire, was a well-known local artist—the recently opened Maguire Museum at St. Joseph’s University was named in her honor. The Maguire Foundation is also a major contributor to arts in the region.
When Nicoletti met Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Andrew Pack and other members of UArts leadership for the first time, she was moved by their passion for UArts and was more than happy to support UArts in any way she could.
“Just hearing them talk about UArts inspired me to get involved, because I knew off the bat that I could learn a lot from them.”
Nicoletti helmed a committee to host an event at the Philadelphia Art Alliance called Young Collector’s Night, a partnership with Friends of Rittenhouse Square to bring together the next generation of collectors, artists, and art enthusiasts.
The event was a success and drew people from her personal network and beyond to learn more about UArts. Nicoletti plans to continue looking for ways to activate the Art Alliance, getting young professionals in the city involved, and bringing fresh ideas and energy to Philadelphia.
“There can be some stigma for younger people when you’re talking about traditional arts organizations,” Nicoletti said. “But we need to help these organizations stay relevant and appeal to newer generations.”
It’s really about appreciating what you have, and not taking the arts for granted, she said. The arts are always evolving, but artists need the support of institutions, schools, foundations, and individual donors to continue moving their disciplines forward.
“The way the world is going these days, the arts could easily slip through the cracks. But there’s no limit to how we can help expand them and continue to make a positive impact.”