Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jaleria Rivera. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jaleria, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

We all seek success. We all dream about an ideal world where our best selves can thrive. Many are willing to claw their way to the top to witness their vision come to fruition—no matter the cost or harm it inflicts on others. I am not that person. In my world, success is a world where we all can thrive. A world where suffering is allowed to speak. A world where the means to live and create are essential rights for all humans. SpaceCraft’s momentum is built with the energy and creative power of Artists, Activists, and Change Makers. A creative cluster comprised of like-minded individuals seeking a humanity-first economy.

SpaceCraft was born during the pandemic, a moment in history when disparities were magnified. While on the phone with my best friend, who happens to be a creative wordsmith, I ranted about my frustrations with being forced to live, work, and create within a single space. I felt cramped and unmotivated to do anything that brought joy. I dreamed of a space that could be a beacon for Artists; where a dancer, poet, and illustrator could create in the same room without pressure to be perfect. The feeling of entering a space filled with unfettered artistic genius couldn’t escape my mind. I needed to bring this feeling to reality. I needed to make space for artists to craft.

I had no idea where to start. My artist journey began at 24 years old in a new city during the pandemic. When restrictions lifted, I attended music events, volunteered at theater companies, and complimented any Artist whose work moved me. It was through this discovery practice that I met Artists and Change Makers who were building mirroring spaces. We decided to join forces and become a creative cluster that supports each other, whether through promotion, talent scouting, equipment, and more! We began to build a grassroots ecosystem in our own image. An ecosystem that incites change and collaborates directly with Artists.

SpaceCraft is a growing constellation that celebrates all who enter its orbit. The most valuable lesson I’ve learned along the way to manifesting my dreams is that creation begins by looking to your left and right. Collaborate with people who are in the same stage of their journey as you. Become a collective that moves as if your dreams are already manifested. It’s through this collective imagination and effort that your vision of success will manifest and exceed expectations.

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.

SpaceCraft is a productions company and soon-to-be performing arts maker space. We make space for artists to craft. Today, we host events across Knoxville, TN from immersive theater experiences to call-to-action conversations. As a performing arts maker space, SpaceCraft will operate as a non-profit co-operative that provides access to unfettered creativity and collective ownership.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Always lean on the shared dream, mission, and intention; it takes honesty and empathy to collaborate with Artists. We’re a sensitive bunch who believes fully in our ideas. SpaceCraft is a collective of Artists with a shared mission and different skill sets. It takes recognizing the beauty, strengths, and uniqueness within each individual to bring an idea to life. By celebrating and delegating tasks to people with the best skill set, you allow them to shine while maximizing your outcomes.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I learned, the hard way, that many people are comfortable with the status-quo (or business-as-usual) economy. People are hesitant to change what they understand, even if it inhibits and diminishes who they are. When pitching for capital, several people who I thought were allies in my space, would shoo at SpaceCraft because it was either serving “an unappealing” market (e.g. Artists and Black communities) or not seen as “profitable” with a cooperative business model. These experiences further my vision to bring equitable creative spaces to my community because all will thrive when our needs are met.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://spacecraftknox.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spacecraftknox/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaleria/

Image Credits
Profile Pic: – @cool_kid_dev (Instagram) Community Images from different photographers (Instgrams listed below): – @jalexisphoto – @awsnapshots – @holly_rainey