We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Steven Salgado a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Steven, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Indeed, achieving a sustainable full-time livelihood through my creative endeavors has been a gradual process, rather than an instantaneous achievement. My success is not attributed to a solitary creative venture, but rather to my engagement across a spectrum of creative disciplines. As an actor, filmmaker, video content creator and an acting instructor, among other roles, it is the amalgamation of these multifaceted pursuits that furnishes me with the means to sustain myself. Reflecting on my journey, I recognize that embracing a bolder approach and a more risk-tolerant mindset would be among the alterations I would make. Experience has imparted the wisdom to strike a judicious balance between innovation and prudence, a lesson I’ve integrated into my present practices.

Steven, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Within the diverse realm of artistic disciplines that I actively engage in, I extend a range of services. As an actor, I consistently remain receptive to appraising novel projects, offering my voice, physical presence, and artistic prowess to character conception across theatrical, cinematic, and other audiovisual realms. Additionally, my role as a content creator culminated in the establishment of my own enterprise, Salgado Studios. Through this venture, I craft audiovisual content catered to organizations, with an unwavering emphasis on the theatrical and artistic domain.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Embarking on the journey of migrating from Peru to the USA, and navigating the process of starting anew, has served as a profound source of learning for me. It has reinforced my unwavering belief in my dreams and overarching purpose. This path has been marked by persistence through challenges, setbacks, and moments of pause, all of which have contributed to a continuous cycle of self-renewal, each iteration imbuing greater resilience. The experience of migration is indeed a potent teacher, offering invaluable insights and growth opportunities.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

There exists a multitude of proactive steps one can take to contribute significantly to the realm of art. Increasing engagement involves consuming a broader range of artistic products and attending events such as theater and cinema. Supporting local artists and advocating for expanded media coverage of their endeavors further bolsters the artistic community. Recognizing the importance of artistic labor, advocating for equitable compensation, and elevating the valuation of creative work are essential aspects. Encouraging policymakers to extend health benefits, incentives, and other protections for artists underscores the commitment to nurturing their well-being. In essence, a myriad of opportunities exists to champion the arts and its practitioners.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stevensalgado.com
• Instagram: @stevensalgado_1
• Other: www.salgadostudios.com

Image Credits
Photo Credits by Julio de la Nuez.