Working on something meaningful is a common desire – but how? We started asking folks to share the story of how they ended up working on a project they felt was meaningful because we wanted inspiration but also because we wondered if hearing from people from across a range of industries would help us identify patterns making it more likely for anyone to be able to find and work on projects that they would find meaningful.

Natalia Bilbao

There comes a point in your career, however far along you may be or however many milestones you have yet to reach, when you kind of just want to be involved in projects that are fun and are aligned with your values. Time is precious and as I’ve gotten older and more experienced I’m leaning more and more towards projects and stories that strike a chord on a personal level. I always ask myself if a story is worth telling and if I can offer an interesting perspective. Read more>>

Emma Tadmor

In November of 2022 I directed and produced my second original play ‘Charlie’ at TheaterLab. This was my first Off-Broadway production, as well as my directing debut in New York. Read more>>

Mark Alan Knapp Jr.

Up to this point in my career (summer 2023), the most meaningful project I’ve worked on to date would have to be TV One’s series Fatal Attraction. In July of 2022, I composed an original cue for the true crime series for one of the music libraries I write for. In music for film and television, this is what we call a “sync” placement- literally, a “synchronization of music and video” placement. Read more>>

Yuan Tian

Women and women artists have always had to work harder and sacrifice more than men to achieve success. They are often faced with the dilemma of choosing between family and career. This is the biggest feeling I had after watching the British film Red Shoes. Read more>>

Taylan Kelly

On The Move, Journey To Teen Fashion Week “. The Young Agency is the first agency I signed to in a non-exclusive contract. I was asked by Ms. Young to audition for a documentary she was producing with Director / Co-Producer James Bessinas. This project was incredible! The film crew followed me for 2mos. and truly captured my pathway to Teen Fashion Week. Read more>>

Mary Daniels

There’s been several meaningful projects I’ve worked on since traveling thru my journey as a Leather Jewelry Designer and Businesswoman. One being a part of raising awareness to small businesses right here in Michigan. Read more>>

Ngoc-Tran Vu

A significant and meaningful project is one I am working on at the moment actually titled “1975: A Vietnamese Diaspora Healing Project.” Read more>>

Ken Jacobsen

I formed a band as a teenager. We decided to book a studio and record a handful of songs. Once I got into the studio I was hooked. I loved the studio environment. We repeated the process 6 months later. I knew this was for me. A little more than a decade later I had written an album and assembled a band. This time I was going to be the producer and part engineer. Read more>>

Amanda Fairbanks

There are certain projects that become special because they are the ones that make you want to keep going. The experience of working on the Grand Rapids windows project became significantly meaningful to me. After riots had left broken windows throughout the downtown areas, I joined a group of volunteers to paint on the boarded up parts of the windows in an effort to bring healing and love back to a hurt place. Read more>>

Amy Ripley

In my father’s early life, he endured profound loss. At the age of 13, his sister Margie tragically lost her life in a car accident just three weeks after getting married. Later, when he was 21, he experienced the devastating loss of his mother due to a fatal fall. Read more>>

Susanne Robinson

I think the purpose of art is to deepen our humanity -and that can happen in many ways. It may be that an artwork inspires an emotion, elicits a question, illuminates something within us, or strengthens our connection with others. When art does one of those things, it meets its mark. I was showing my work at an art show recently and a woman was drawn to a small painting I’d done of a bird. Read more>>

Mengzi Han

The most meaningful project is my graduation thesis. Read more>>

Marc Anderson

The most meaningful project I’ve undertaken is one that is ongoing and is at the center of virtually everything I do. The project is to live well. I think it’s a project that everyone is engaged in one way or the other. Perhaps it’s also true than any more specific project that is truly meaningful in some way is contributing to one’s own well-being or that of another. Read more>>

Glorius L. Martin

I have been on a mission for sometime now to serve youth who are the most rejected, neglected, and abandoned for whatever reason. God has given me a tremendous heart, purpose, and passion to at the very least let them know that they have extraordinary value and deserve to be loved and heard. Read more>>

Aliyah Lovely

My first vendor event meant a lot to me and was one of the first projects I put my all into. It was happening on my birthday which made it all better but also occurring at a local market my mother had taken me to frequently as a child. She was also there with me as help so it was super encouraging and a real full circle moment that we could experience it together while being able to connect to the community and share the products I created. Read more>>

Brock Gill

I went to Ukraine during the first few months of the war and bought a motorcycle and gave it to a stranger. Read more>>

Benjamin Parks

For over six years, I have dedicated myself to a deeply personal artistic project entitled the ‘Family Series.’ It has been a labor of love, aimed at capturing the essence of my family members through a series of portraits. The series consists of nine paintings that delve into the themes of growing up in a cult, love, and family. Read more>>

Calil Cage

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been the spoken word production, BARE: In the Flesh. My friend, Morgan Paige, and I collaborated to produce a show that gave insight into the relational integration of two lovers’ lives- two individuals becoming one. We started this project with an idea that came from Jamille and Woe, two other artists from another artistic collective, A’.C.R.E.W. Read more>>

Dave Fallon

I’m a multimedia artist based in Minneapolis, MN. I’ve studied fine arts since I was young. I moved to Los Angeles where I studied graphic design, later returning to Minneapolis and working in advertising design. My life changed dramatically when I was diagnosed with intractable epilepsy. I had to leave my job and everything came to screeching halt. I was resigned to throwing away my dreams and living vicariously through others. It’s always darkest before the dawn. Read more>>

Kyra Ledwell

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on would be my Detroit project. I was 13 years old when I moved from Detroit to Lawton Oklahoma. Life was so different for me because Detroit was always home. It was where both sides of my family lived, my friends, my memories, everything. It wasn’t until my paternal grandmother’s passing called me back home. Read more>>

Luke Porter

It started with a text from Joe, one of my clients – would I be interested in helping his friend Drew tell his story on camera? My interest was already sparked, as I love story telling. That text led to a phone call with Drew, where I learned that he is an army veteran who is suffering from guillain-barré syndrome. I had never heard of this disorder before, and he explained that it’s a progressive nerve disorder that caused him to become completely paralyzed. We worked out the details and set a filming date. Read more>>

Alexander Craig

Writing wise I think my most recent album is the most meaningful project I’ve put together. I made a hard shift when I decided to only sing the truth after “I” statements. The release focuses on progression and perseverance and also touches on positive life philosophy and personal growth. I’m proud of this collection of songs. Read more>>

Brielle Jolie

When it comes to meaningful projects I just started my full business under the name paradigm 7. my whole message after graduating with a bachelors of fine arts in the recent months. Is to redefine what an art gallery should look like. My art circulates the idea of black love in Black beauty so I want my galleries to reflect that and I couldn’t find a space where I feel included enough to laugh loud and listen to the music I love and to have the loved ones around meets where they felt comfortable as well. Read more>>

Marc Rodriguez

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has also been a very recent project for me. Fool in Utopia (my musical solo project) released the album Arcadia in 2022. This project began before the pandemic, and some of the songs were written throughout. I was very excited to finally share this work with the world, and at the same time I was very excited to start on a new journey of attaining my PhD in Toxicology Read more>>

Martha Pineno

I developed a Heal with your Art program: Masterpiece to Master PEACE for survivors of grief and trauma. Read more>>

Naomi Carroll

Up until recently I’d have said my Water Gatherer submission for the We’re Still Here All-Trans Comic Anthology was the most meaningful project I’ve worked on. I’ve always enjoyed telling stories involving deeply personal experiences, and that one specifically talked about the time I spent homeless and living out of my broken down camper van, and how that intersected with my experiences as a queer woman. Read more>>

Nieya Amezquita

After creating dance works as an independent choreographer in the Minneapolis community for over three years, I decided to venture into my biggest project yet! This year Amez Dance was created by me to connect artists in collaborative performances while invoking conversations about the human experience in our current society Read more>>

Sarina Partridge

The most meaningful project I’ve been working on is creating more spaces for community singing, and creating new songs that invite folks into singing for connection and full expression — not performance or perfection. I think a lot of us have internalized the message (thanks a lot, capitalism) that art should be left to “professionals”… Read more>>

Chip Haynes

I’ve written a lot of books over the last 40 years (over 60 so far), but for me, the Oliver Possum series of children’s books that are starting to come out this year have always been the ones I want to be known for. In a world where horror, violence, destruction and death are seen as entertainment, I would much rather be the possum on my bicycle and stop for pie. Read more>>

Adrian Soto

It’s been a long and winding road. But Parasym is releasing our Debut Single “Triangles” the track has been through so many variations. But the rest of our core for the band consists of Brett Carrion , Juan Avila , and Nick Tover. Just creating music / trying to get our single to where we want it to be has been an adventure. But now the captured beauty of Love & Loss is where we want it. So we hope you enjoy Triangles as much as we did while creating the track. Read more>>

Samantha Margret

I almost didn’t release my EP, RAGE, last year. I had been working on it diligently, but, as songs go from a dream in my head to a reality in my computer, I always start to doubt. My ears get tired. At that point, I’ve heard them hundreds of times. And, as I write new songs, the old ones start to show their weaknesses. Read more>>

Jillian Mae

The most meaningful project that I have worked on is probably the body of work that I am starting now. Read more>>

Debra Mosley-McCray

Every year Feet of Faith Dance Company give back to the community via toy drives or clothing drives. We have donated to women’s shelters, the Red Cross, children abusive service centers & teen boarding homes for seven years. We are often told how our dance performances have touched the hearts of many, but giving back to the community fulfills our heart the more. Read more>>

Shannon Oli

From projects I’ve done for myself as an artist, to projects with major artist to projects with hundreds of indie artist. I think my most meaningful project has to be “Writers Block” with the artist Nevv who is now a good friend of mine. He found me on Instagram I believe before he even released his first song (I could be wrong). Contacted me and we got to work. Read more>>

Samantha Russell

Since the start of my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a number of meaningful projects. All of them have ignited me in some way or taught me to look at the world from a different perspective. As of late, I have been working on the set of Hauntology, in which an older sister takes her runaway sibling on a road trip to share the chilling tales of their hometown. Read more>>

Appotee

Ever since I was very young, I wanted to do something meaningful. Music has always been the tool I wanted to use to change the world. When my parents noticed I had natural ability for music, they signed me up for piano lessons. I was around 6 years old. I could hear something and play it for my teacher. She encouraged me to keep listening and playing what I heard. Read more>>

Ciandre Taylor

Two meaningful projects l worked on was Mt first published book called ” Valiant Heart” Read more>>

Anthony Campney

At this point, I’d say the one-page collaboration comics I’ve done for The Comic Jam, which is a Discord group that pairs artists with writers (letterers, too, when they’re available) to produce against voted themes. I’ve done three total for them so far and it’s given me some awesome practice in translating someone else’s written vision into completed comic pages. That said, once I complete the first issue of my independent comic Red Frontier, that will take the top spot for me. Read more>>

M33CH

I released my latest project ‘Prestige’ on March 25th 2023. This project was created during a very transitional time of life that included many new changes such as becoming a father, finishing grad school as well as dealing with personal relationship changes. The title ‘Prestige’ symbolizes growth, empowerment and resilience despite those obstacles I endured while recording the songs. Read more>>

Tom Block

Founding the International Human Rights Art Festival (ihraf.org) has undoubtedly been the most far-reaching and meaningful project that I have worked on in my 30-year creative career. Growing out of my own activist work as a painter, playwright and author, it represents the implementation of an activist art model I developed called “Prophetic Activist Art.” Read more>>

Robyne Robinson

My most meaningful project has been working as Art Consultant on the $28 million dollar restoration of the Coliseum Building in Minneapolis’ Longfellow neighborhood. I’ve spent the last two years planning temporary and permanent public art installations with a woman-led team of developers, architects and community consultants redesigning the 82,000 sq. ft. Read more>>

Amber Higgenbottom

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve created was back in my hometown of Memphis,TN. I was inspired by my grandparents community where I spent a lot of time growing up. A place where I could let my imagination run free. This community is known as the second largest historically black neighborhood in the US succeeding Harlem. Read more>>

R. M. S. Thornton

The most meaningful project I worked on was my latest poetry book, Poet Without a Cause. I released it in 2020 along with a new edition at the end of 2021. Read more>>