We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amira Mustapha. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amira below.

Amira, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I found this train of thought by doing a quick search of Art Defined on my computer (the ultimate name chosen after considering a few alternatives: starting with ‘The Company,’ then ‘Express and Expose,’ followed by ‘Defining Art,’ and finally settling on its current name: Art Defined Productions, Inc.). It had been a year since I completed my theater undergraduate degree, and while I was still processing the plethora of ideas, hopes, and aspirations my classmates and I discussed while lounging around between classes, rehearsals, and shows, I noticed that many of those classmates had already veered away from the arts, opting for steady 9-5 jobs completely unrelated to theater. Of course, they had to; now that we no longer had the protection and support of school, we had to be pragmatic and find ways to cover rent, phone bills, and other expenses because, well, that’s essential. And that lingering faith in their craft dissipated without the camaraderie of fellow dreamers. I founded Art Defined to address that need. I was born and raised in the Bronx, the eldest child of immigrant parents, and an artist myself. The pursuit of success is in my blood because I know my parents immigrated here to succeed and provide me with opportunities to do the same. When I informed them of my decision to major in theater instead of the more secure psychology I went to school for, they were not thrilled, but I reassured them that I would make it work, that I would succeed in this endeavor. It’s evident that the Bronx, my home and the place where I earned my degree, has always been underserved, but I saw the beautiful tapestry that can be built with community.
I launched Art Defined for myself, for my community, and for communities like mine that needed support, a network to thrive, to build upon, and to continue cultivating and refining their craft. I wanted to create a space where artists’ work could genuinely be appreciated and, ultimately, to assist them in finding fulfillment in careers within their chosen field. We aim to make the world a better place, one artist at a time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Amira Mustapha is a Ghanaian-American Bronx-based artist, recognized for her multifaceted roles as a Producer, co-writer, and actor of the acclaimed web series #30s, as well as a writer and actor in the award-winning play Adulting. In 2010, she founded Art Defined Productions, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing a platform for literary and performance artists to explore, create, develop, and showcase their work.

Central to Amira’s mission is her creation of Poetic Affair, a highly successful monthly spoken-word showcase and open mic, which she has been hosting to packed audiences. Additionally, she is leading the charge in establishing a mentorship program aimed at nurturing and empowering emerging artists, set to launch in 2021.

Throughout her career, Amira has been the recipient of multiple Community Arts and Arts Fund Grants from the Bronx Council on the Arts since 2013. She has also received continuous support from Poets and Writers, Inc., starting in 2014. In recognition of her outstanding service and dedication, she was honored with The Bharati Foundation Leadership Award in 2019.

Amira’s journey in the performing arts began at Lehman College, where she earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Theater and a Masters Degree of Science in Organizational Leadership. Since then, she has excelled as a performer, writer, stage manager, and theater technician. Notable highlights include her involvement in the off-Broadway productions of Break Out and Avenue Q. Over the years, she has contributed her talents to esteemed venues such as The French Institute, Tribeca Performing Art Center, and Merkin Concert Hall.

Currently serving as the Director of Production Services for Lehman Stages, Amira passionately mentors a diverse team of students and community members, providing them with invaluable skills and professional opportunities in the theater industry. Her ultimate goal is to ensure that individuals receive the support needed to fulfill their artistic potential.

Amira’s unwavering commitment to fostering creativity and connecting with kindred spirits who share her passion for the arts continues to inspire. For more information, visit artdefined.org.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A significant lesson I’ve learned while developing Art Defined is to embrace discomfort and lean into it frequently. For far too long, after starting Art Defined, I allowed my disappointments to halt my progress with programs. If a show didn’t turn out exactly as I had hoped (which happened quite often), I would pause production for several months or even a year. However, by persevering despite the setbacks and pushing through regardless of the success of a single show, I’ve noticed significant growth in our audience. Moreover, I’ve come to realize that I learn much more from failures than from doing nothing at all.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Since Art Defined is artist-driven, the best source of new “clients” or artists outside of our programming is attending events organized by other arts organizations. I love to meet the founders and share our experiences, and it is usually during this time that we discuss how we can work together to continue building our community. I’m also a big fan of Eventbrite since it helps us to connect with people outside of our current community. We often get NYC tourists or newer artists via Eventbrite.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amiramustapha1.wixsite.com/my-site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquarianmuse19/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amira-mustapha
• Other: https://www.artdefined.org/ https://www.instagram.com/artdefinedinc/ https://www.facebook.com/artdefinedinc