Every once in a while we have the good fortune of working on a project that we feel truly matters, a project that we’ll still be thinking about years from now. Maybe even something we can imagine telling our grandkids about – surely you’ve had moments like that where something you did in your professional life really mattered?

Abbie VandenEinde

Recently, I had the opportunity to take family photos for an extended family that hadn’t seen each other in over four years. Several of the family members are in different countries overseas doing missionary work, and therefore many of them haven’t even been in the same country for that duration of time. This Christmas season, one of the daughters booked me for their family photos and kept it a surprise from some of the family until the day of our session. Read more>>

Joa Ra

The most meaningful project I have ever worked on is my artistry as a whole. Before I really poured into my works and projects, life felt dull. I wondered through my days looking for meaning and purpose. In April of 2021, I worked on my first creative visual project. This lead to another shoot about a month later, and the summer blossomed into many other creative opportunities. Every project energized my spirit and was filled with love. By the end of summer 2021, I began my music career. Read more>>

Kevin O’Neill

Most of my screenplays are based on events that happened in my life. My feature screenplay “Trestles” is based on a real event that happened to me when I was twelve years old and living in California. It’s a coming-of-age story and the event changed the trajectory of my life. My film “Man in the Woods” is based on my father’s last years with Alzheimer’s and my most recent film “Screaming into the Wind” is based on a woman I personally knew many years ago, when I was an actor living in Los Angeles, who was in an abusive relationship. Read more>>

Olivia Talbott

The most meaningful and healing project I’ve worked on as an Astrologer has been work I’ve done with an eating disorder support group for young women. The two founders of this support group collective reached out to me in 2020 and I ended up doing mini readings for 12 young women. One of the many shadows in my life I have struggled with was an eating disorder of my own, from age 16 to age 26. I struggled with a combination of both anorexia and bulimia. Read more>>

Keelyn Cazzolla

My most meaningful projects have been my healing through art sessions. I had always seen artwork on pinterest or facebook of artists drawing or painting how emotions and mental illnesses felt. Those images always helped me feel better, knowing that I wasn’t alone with how I felt, but also seeing exactly how I felt for things I wasn’t always able to describe. Read more>>

Duncan Kirkwood

This past year in partnership with the Independent Health Foundation and Fostering Greatness Inc., I conducted a 3 and a half day leadership training for 50 Black boys ages 15 to 18 in Western NY called “Unleash Your Greatness” The training consisted of training on leadership, goal setting, empowerment, brotherhood, self care, and tapping into the greatness that we know they each posess. Read more>>

Deanna Dellia

There are many meaningful projects that have been close to my heart, but one of the most significant projects in my life is my most recent project, Speak Easy: The Therapy for Artists podcast. In this podcast, our listeners will be transported into a dark, smoky atmosphere where the bourbon and candid conversations are always flowing. Read more>>

Katie King

Every project is special to me in a different way, but I would say one that really stands out to me is The Last Supper, directed by Kayla Marcus. This was a project I booked off Backstage and is one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve been a part of. We worked long hours together as a team and made something I’m really proud of. I felt humbled to be doing great work with people who were motivated, kind, and ready to get to work. The movie is filled with humor, heart felt moments, twists and I can’t wait to see the finished product soon. Read more>>

Joshua Lackey

So far, the most meaningful project I have worked on was my Comedy Ventriloquist special: Joshua the Ventriloquist Fleecing the family. The Backstory on it is that I had had a long-time goal of creating my own special that people could watch. We were in the final days of 2020. The venues had just started to open back up and some of them were already starting to close back down. I was talking with my wonderful wife about how I wanted to do this. You know dreaming the way you do with the one you love, and she told me it was time to poop or get off the pot. Read more>>

Benjamin Banger

I want to say my 1st album, The Gxod Poet” but that was wayyyy back in 2017 (Still worth a listen though). So I’d have to go with “Telepathy Club”; My latest collaborative album with score|swayze. Read more>>

Geniypher Snow

Transcendental Coils was born from my strong need to transcend from what I was doing and also a need to heal from the traumas of the past. After realizing just how disposable I was after puttting my heart and soul into a job atav grocery store. I then moved on to farming work wherei didn’t get paid in the end and realized that wasn’t going to be a healthy fit either in general, I needed something to do that didn’t require working for someone. Relying on someone wasn’t for me. Read more>>

Ke the Kid

Id have to say Lone Wolf 4, Lone Wolf 4 executively produced by ThatsLando would be my most meaningful project. ThatsLando & Myself have worked on several tracks together as just artist ; which produced a tape entitled “Love & Lust.” As a child – ThatsLando made beats, recently picking it back up in 2020, ThatsLando took his time to learn my style to assist in furtherance in our careers for ownership. Read more>>

Switch Art Gallery

Meaningful projects. 2 years ago we started the idea to create a home gallery. The challenge was to do it by coincidence to the beginning of a global pandemic. but you have to go through fears. Read more>>

Julian Horton

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on was one of my latest projects called “Black Spartans.” Black Spartans is a movie that tells the story of the Michigan State Spartans football team in the 1960’s—a team that was the first fully integrated college football team in history. Read more>>

Alex Wilson

I would say the project that I recently put out, “Uptown Girl” is the most meaningful project I have ever worked on. The final result came out better than I could’ve ever expected. The song started off as just a short idea that I posted to TikTok in an attempt to create a “Breakup anthem” for people who were cheated on. I had a specific vision for the song; it being something that people can “shout to” & “lament” along to while at the bar. Read more>>

KT- Archer

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is called ECCENTRIC, and its coming soon! ECCENTRIC is the journey of the next rap Messiah, from ILLMATIC, COLLEGE DROPOUT, to GOOD KID M.A.A.D CITY Rap changed from these albums. The shock value I bring with this is the Re-introduction to feel good rap music . this project took ten years to complete due to the changes in music and evolution in my style, the best part about it is it is 70% THE SAME! Read more>>

Kasaundra Hamilton

“Writing With Purpose” is a writing workbook that I have created to help others find the means to express their own story and find the power in their voice. Yes, there are several writing courses out there and no I am not an accredited instructor. But I have lived a life where I was told “look pretty & be quiet” “no one cares what you have to say” ” your words will never amount to anything” Those phrases haunted me most of my life. Read more>>

Jessica Carter

The most meaningful project I have worked on has been the recent release of my prayerbook, A Time to GLOW: Prayers for the GLOWING Woman. It is my very first book, which I self-published through Amazon on Christmas 2022. About two years ago, the LORD placed “Share the GLOW” in my heart; which is ultimately an entire movement. Share the GLOW stands for Share the Growth, Love, Opportunities, and Wins. The big vision is for Share the GLOW to be a corporation some day. Read more>>

Tre Brown

When I hear the word “meaningful,” in regards to working towards opening my own bakery and creating content that best represents and reflects who I am as a person on my YouTube channel. I always think about my childhood and spending quality time with my grandmother in the kitchen. Being raised by a strong black women definitely contributes to the character that I portray in my everyday life. Read more>>

Jon Kott

The current project im working on, Jon Kott Band, would be the most meaningful. Ive pursued music my entire life. Formed and developed many bands over the years, but Jon Kott Band is culmination of all my efforts. The most honest and earnest songs ive written. There has always been something or someone driving the force behind my previous bands/projects. For the first time, the only thing driving this is me. Read more>>

Bella Kash

I recently worked with a GOODNESS BALLET SCHOOL IN NIGERIA AFRICA. Resources are few in this area however their wonderful director has an unstoppable passion to help his community through art and education. We connected and created some beautiful and meaningful art with his students. Read more>>

Larissa Humiston

One of our annual productions as a professional dance company is Untold Stories. This performance uses contemporary dance to examine social issues and struggles that can be taboo or difficult to talk about. Topics explored can be related to grief, suicide, addiction, homelessness, abuse etc. Being a therapist during the day, I often hear these stories from various clients and use their story when creating pieces for Untold Stories. Read more>>

Chantae Vetrice

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my upcoming single “R.I.P.” which drops on 1/20/23. Read more>>As an artist in the hip hop community and a black woman, it breaks my heart to constantly see our people being taken out over and over again. When Takeoff from the Migos got killed, it really hit me hard and I immediately wanted to write about it and share with the world my perspective on what is happening. Read more>>

COLTx

Every project is personal because of the amount of blood sweat and tears you have to put into it as an artist. Music is very personal and most of the time is a reflection based on what the artist went through during the timeframe the project/each song was created. Read more>>

Juan Salas

The most meaningful project I have worked is my current Horror film, “House of Dolls’ starring Dee Wallace ( ET, Cujo ) and Meeko Gattuso ” Euphoria”, due out later this year. The experience of working with Dee was a delight, so much knowledge obtained through years of experience. and well, she worked with Spielberg so it was so meaningful to me to be around such energy. Read more>>

Connor Nich

I’m currently working on the most meaningful project of my career as a photographer. I’ve been working with Not Another Film Lab here in Denver, and I’ll be hosting my first solo exhibition in April 2023. Read more>>

Amie & Jaida Burke

“Backing the Need”. Our annual backpack & school supply drive that we partner with Cobb County Police Department (CCPD) on is very meaningful because of the impact that it has on us and our community. The idea started at one of our youth planning sessions. This is where we get together outside at some picnic tables & our youth volunteers brainstorm & select service ideas for the year. (This is what we call “Creating Kindness”). Read more>>

Macahl Jett

My upcoming album has been the most meaningful project that I have worked on. I entitled it Bet On Me, because I finally decided to trust and believe in myself, which has been a journey. I have been on a healing journey since 2019, and while the journey has consisted of a lot of different entities, this album was dedicated to healing from heartache and heartbreak. Listen, I don’t wish that on my wooooorst enemy. Read more>>

Rachel Kanevsky

This holiday season I was privileged enough to be hired by TikTok as a Jewish creator to share my creativity and educate others on Hanukkah. Marginalized creators are often sidelined on the app but we make more and more progress each day. I have been banned from the app 3 times. Once on pride month, once on Jewish heritage month, and once on disability pride month, all for discussing these topics. From that, I and other creators have fought to be seen and heard on the app and I feel as though that was a big sign of that. Read more>>

Miles Crowl

Everything I do is pretty much the most meaningful project to me. I’m not doing it if it doesn’t end up with a piece of my soul and spirit in it. But with that said and to break it down, Mile High Arts is what encompasses everything I do as a whole. From the music like Naughty Frog and my Solo Hip Hop stuff, to all the visual arts, paintings, music videos, that’s where you can kinda find everything categorized. Read more>>

Caitlin McConnell

Last year, I had a bridal customer with an upcoming wedding. She had recently lost her father, so he sadly could not walk her down the aisle. Read more>>

Melissa Messulam

I have to say that my most meaningful project thus far has been co-founding alongside Neher Jaqueline Briceño our non-profit, Conecta Miami Arts. Conecta is a multi-disciplinary arts organization that produces and presents socially-engaged artistic experiences for the general public. Our vision for Conecta is to develop the next generation of culturally sensitive artists, audiences, philanthropists and arts officers of Miami by producing and presenting contemporary and relevant performances of high artistic excellence. Read more>>

Bethany Donnelly

Designing the Duty Station Collection has been such a special project for me. Growing up as a military kid, our family always collected something unique from each place we lived. Now that I’m a military spouse myself, I’ve tried to come up with fun ways to remember all of the places we’ve called home. I first came up with the idea of pairing each duty station with a different scent right after we moved to a new state in 2020. Read more>>

McCormick Carlson

The most meaningful project I’ve gotten to be a part of as a creative/musician is that of my own 4 piece band, Monk is King. This project is most meaningful to me because it is where I am most vulnerable/share the most of my emotions over music. It is also most meaningful because it is the project I have gotten to share the most with other people and relate with. Read more>>

Brian Knight

It is April the 6th, 2021. I sip hibiscus tea in the small living room of a bright-pink stucco home in the Bo Kaap neighborhood of Cape Town. Hosting on this sunny afternoon is a man named Nasa who repairs and sells vintage cameras at the artisan market where we met a few weeks ago. He is soft spoken and devout, to his craft, his family, his readings and above all, his God. Our conversation strolls through musings of physics and philosophy, those familiar back alleys where old and young from places far-flung come to share such whimsies. However profound, it’s the sharing that brings us together. Read more>>

Lika Steel

So many of my past and future projects are meaningful to me, but I have a personal attachment to the art projects, that is when I feel the most purpose in my work, contributing to the fashion and art community by supporting the values of both. I like creating new opportunities and connecting in unconventional ways to ultimately improve my talents.  Read more>>

Ignyssium

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far is my latest album, “Retro Dreamer: Afterglow.” I say this because this is the first time I’ve included vocals on one of my albums. I am so proud to have something that I wrote, emotionally delivered by two talented vocalists. One being my beautiful and supportive boyfriend, Ylandi, as well as the amazing Callista Laguna. Read more>>

Majeska Lynn

The creation of my upcoming album, “IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO FEEL NOTHING!” has been one of the most life-changing journeys I’ve ever taken. This album might’ve been created by me (and a few others, whom I am so grateful to), but this album created me. It changed me. It challenged me. Read more>>

Ryan Kovacs

My most meaningful writing project thus far has been the novels in my upcoming Destruction Series: Create Destruction and Destroy Creation. They were originally supposed to be a writing prompt for a friend of mine and myself over a decade ago where we would each write a story about the duality with hopes of creating a graphic novel. I wrote my short story, Create Destruction and was amazed at the idea I’d come up with. Read more>>

Maximillion Rogers

Right Now I’m working on my most impactful project to date. I spent last Christmas with my family watching the entire series “The Best Man” directed by Malcom Lee, which is a great movie & series by the way! I encourage everybody to watch that series when you get a chance. Read more>>

ATL Nuke

All of them, Each and everyone on them is like a trophy, basically pointing out different points of a life at that time/era. Read more>>

Lucky Stiff

In 2019 I had the opportunity to work on a production of Hundred Days by The Bengsons and Sarah Gancher, a soaring folk-punk concert musical chronicling the Bengsons’ personal journey through their whirlwind courtship which led to their eventual marriage, at Kokandy Productions in Chicago. As one of the first productions to cast performers who were not the Bengsons themselves, Read more>>

Heather Hitchman

My most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been my world building endeavor, a world of art and stories set in a paranormal fantasy realm I call “Terratoff”. Inspired by “The Bridge to Terabithia” story I ream as a child, Terratoff was conceived as a make believe place my friends and I would go to play games and escape the trials of bullying and growing up in general. For me this imaginary realm provided a much needed hideaway from a particularly toxic religious environment. Read more>>

Dorian Gray

The most meaningful project I’ve been able to work on is my time in Nicaragua. Having never left the country before this, and not being able to speak the language, it was all super new for me. But it really challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and explore new ways of telling stories. During my two-and-a-half-month stay, I got to explore every day, got to know the culture and people of Nicaragua. And with that came the most meaningful stories, unforgettable moments, life-long friends, and some of the best photos I feel I have ever captured. Read more>>

Melanie Walby

In 2019, there was a racist incident at UW Eau Claire—the college in the town where I grew up. A group of students posted a photo of the kkk to their snapchat to mock a Black Men Empowerment group on campus. From Minneapolis, I followed along the news cycle as I had not lived there since 2006 however I visit my family and friends often and still feel very close to that community. Read more>>

Calandra Gantt

The most meaningful project worked on was my live project I just completed last year in honor of my late mother, Cynthia Dorsey. This project was my industry lesson, which I almost did not complete. I started it over 6 years ago and had to go back to the drawing board more than once due to poor productions and picking the right songs. Read more>>

Poet22

I think the most meaningful project I’ve worked on would have to be my first EP I released in when I was like 17 through SoundCloud titled Perfect Timing. That project although unmixed and unpolished; was the leap of faith I needed to take. Looking back it helped me have the courage to make something as vulnerable and raw as my album Chrysalis. Read more>>

Khamaree ‘Kham’ Owens

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on to date is a music visual called Being Black. During 2020, I really began digging into archival footage from different moments in time and I stumbled across so many historical moments. What stood out most to me was the Ten Point Program created by the Black Panthers. The entire Ten Point Program has been a plea, even to this day. for the things Black people deserve, are owed. Read more>>

Redd Rum

I have worked on 4 Mixtape that I truly love and independently created and got it to where it is now , Knowing it can grow more but just seeing how far I came means more then anything. I Also feel if people wanted and found it interesting to get to know me they would be the best pieces of art you should listen to thank you for asking . Read more>>

Jake Matthews

Honestly, it’s the project I’m working on right now. I’m currently in the Philippines for over a month documenting their love for the game of basketball. Of all the countries on earth, the Philippines have the most basketball courts per square foot. Here, “ball is life” takes on a whole new meaning. I’m traveling around documenting courts, hoopers, and anything basketball related. Read more>>

Stephanie Green

The most meaningful projec to datet as been my film, Cracked Foundation. Cracked Foundation, I played the Lead Actress, Co-Wrote, and Executive Produced. The film is in honor of my grandmother who reared me from birth who transitioned unexpectedly during sleep. It’s a film that addresses the stigma of Mental Health, grief/loss, marital conflicts etc. I was the Lead Actress, Co-Wrote, and was the Executive Producer. Read more>>

Monica Marquez Gatica

Title: Finding Meaningful Projects: How Focusing on Wine and Horses Helped an Artist Find Their Artistic Voice As an artist, discovering your voice can be a challenging and elusive pursuit. It often involves finding a subject or medium that truly resonates with you on a deep level, which can be difficult for any creative, whether you are a painter, writer, musician, or any other type of artist. However, the journey to find your artistic voice is ultimately a rewarding one. Read more>>

DJ Shane

My most meaningful project has been the release of my album “Hustle And Motivate”. In June, DJ Shane released his album “Hustle And Motivate” which features artists like Alfred Duncan, Yusha Assad, B.J. Paige, Raheem DeVaughn, A.J. Throwback, Jiaani, Swift, and More. His album is meant to motivate and inspire others to achieve greatness. Read more>>

Brandon Cordrey

During my tenure as the executive director of VAE Raleigh we produced a project entitled “Queer Home” with participants from the LGBT Center of Raleigh. It required my team to construct a four-room house in the middle of our main gallery. The director of exhibitions, Kyle Hazard, and I built the majority of the structure, complete with raised floor, front yard, full kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom. Read more>>

Janell Nelson

BACKSTORY: EAC and Folded Map NFP are a joint venture to uplift through art and battle systemic racism in the name of social justice. Folded Map Project’s mission is to become a resident-, advocacy- and policy-influencing tool that invites audiences to open a dialogue and question how we are all socially impacted by racial and institutional conditions that segregate the city. Read more>>

Jordan Taylor Thomas

Well, currently, I am working on my second album for Bad Lives. It takes everything that I loved about the first album and elevates it on every level. The songs are better from every perspective. The lyrics are more cohesive, the sounds are more curated to represent what I hear in my head, and the production, engineering, mixing and mastering are all top notch. I am definitely ready for the world to hear what a 100% intentional Bad Lives record sounds like. Read more>>

Girl Mobb

My most meaningful project was Graffiti Camp For Girls, a nonprofit spraypainting class for teens that me and a friend, Deirdre O’Shea, stated in 2016. Seeing a lack of public art works, murals, etc done by women on the streets I started teaching these spray painting classes for girls, non-binary, gender fluid, LGBTQ+ teens as a week long mentorship ending with a mural production done by my students, that they decided and collaborated on as a collective. Read more>>

Amaret

One of the most meaningful projects we worked on was a dance performance for a Spring festival. We always strive to tell a story through our art, and we took this as another opportunity to do so. Coming out of 2020, there had been a lot of losses in families, friend groups and those alike. We created an interactive performance dedicated to those that may have lost a loved one or even lost themselves. We had everyone write a name on a marble stone, and set it on stage. Read more>>

Lady Mprez

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve recently worked on was helping establish NuRyz Projectz. NuRyz Projectz is a virtual platform that creates projects for independent and upcoming artists to display their creativity and tenacity. Read more>>

Morgan Burgard

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was my first abstract collection for my first art showcase. At the time I didn’t know it, but looking back I see the importance and significance of the art that I showcased. Read more>>

Samuel Kwame Mensah

In 2021 I traveled to North East Region, Ghana for the first time after watching a video of school children in a particular village called Soasobigi. In this video, I saw children learning without books and no chairs in their classrooms. I also saw a bunch of children sleeping on the floor, and some were making use of the ground as their substitute books. Read more>>

Julianne Vallera

The most meaningful “project” I have worked on is “Lights! Camera! Autism!” It is an annual event where autistic adults have the opportunity to sell and display their art. The first year I participated was 2018. Read more>>

Jessii Marie

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was with my mentor, Natiq Jalil right before he passed. He encouraged me to keep going and to freely be myself. This project pushed me beyond my limits showing me that I am capable of so much more. I truly felt like I grew as an artist. I learned this year, I was eager yet afraid to do exactly what I needed to do and it was truly amazing. Read more>>

Drew Taylor

I was a firefighter for 4 years and owned my own business. We were doing fairly well in Canada with the music and decided it was time to move to America and risk it all to be something bigger. Left Canada and moved here so far things have been going great, we have released a new single wish I didn’t a few weeks back and it’s already been streamed over 70,000 times. It’s also been added to a few major Apple playlists. Read more>>