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.

Kate Del

I was asked to write a song for an event called Fearless Voices at the Cannes Lions Festival, and I felt an instant connection to the theme. I wrote a song called “Fearless,” and the inspiration behind it is deeply personal—it’s all about my daughter. She has this incredible way of making me feel unstoppable, like I can face anything with confidence and strength. The love I have for her pushes me to be braver, to take risks, and to show up in the world without hesitation. “Fearless” isn’t just a song to me; it’s a tribute to her and the way she inspires me every day to embrace my own courage. It’s one of the most special things I’ve ever created. Read more>>

Hedda Huang

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on would definitely be writing my first song, Xmas with You. This song will always hold a special place in my heart. At the time, I was deeply immersed in learning classical piano, practicing for at least five hours a day. While the routine was necessary, it felt monotonous and left me questioning my direction in life. Everything changed when one of my favorite singer-songwriters came to Shanghai for a performance. His entire album was self-written and composed, narrating his personal journey—being abandoned by a major record label, struggling with uncertainty in life, and navigating the complexities of love. I was moved to tears during the performance. He shared his stories and insights through his music, and the raw emotion and passion in his work deeply inspired me. Read more>>

Alee Anderson

In 2018 I had the privilege of working with a client who had recently experienced the tragic death of his husband. When we came together, he was understandably overcome by grief, battling the painful effects of the acute trauma he sustained when he witnessed his husband’s passing. Over the next six months, we worked on his manuscript, digging into all aspects of his relationship with his late husband, unpacking every experience, good and bad. The process was grueling, but I was able to shepherd my client through moments when building a cohesive narrative felt impossible. By the end of the project, not only did we have a stunning book in our hands, but my client was utterly transformed. Read more>>

Vilma Zenelaj

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege to produce and direct was a political thriller “Eagle” set in Albania, my home country. This project holds a special place in my heart because it was based on true events, and I’ve always been drawn to the power of authentic stories. The narrative centered on the fall of communism in Eastern Europe during the early 1990s, a period I personally lived through. This made the project deeply personal, as it reflected both collective history and individual struggles during a pivotal time. Read more>>

Kiana Garcia

The most meaningful project I have worked on is a styled shoot that I planned alongside Melissa with Be Younique Events! It was an accomplishment for me in my career as a photographer! I had always wanted to host and plan a styled shoot and it finally came true, my vision came to life and it was amazing! I felt accomplished and proud of what we created and I felt like it was a step in a positive direction with my photography career! Read more>>

Amir Kenyi

One of the most meaningful projects i’ve created would have to be the one I currently finished titled “Soaps N Suds”! This project is a response to my first Ep “In Tears”. This piece of work gives you a tour of a few of my situation-ships (post-breakup) that were so bittersweet letting the bitter side of things take control. This project means so much to me because it is made with pure vulnerability and honesty. I titled the EP “Soaps N Suds” because I thought that talking to new people would play a positive role in healing and pretty much washing away a past relationship… as one does. Read more>>

Juanita I. Harris

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on to this day is undeniably I Talk to God About You. 40 Days of Prayer for My Future Husband For as long as I can remember, I have always loved writing. When I was young and would completely fill every diary, spiral notebook, and journal that I could get my hands on. My mom noticed my love for writing and told me that she hoped I made money with it someday. Well about 25 years later, I saw what she said when I became a published author. This journey is so meaningful to me because it gives me a chance, through the Word of God and Prayer, to encourage the hearts of people that I may never meet. Read more>>

Hudson Harmony Band

Our most meaningful projects have been producing professional music videos for our YouTube channel. We literally receive comments from all over the world. We try to match the location for the video with the overall feel and message of the song. When we were ready to record “The Orange Blossom Special / Wabash Cannonball” video, we wanted to record it on an actual train. Our search began in Arizona, but we were unable to successfully partner with any of the train companies in our state. We broadened our search to other states, including Tennessee, South Carolina, Washington, and more. Read more>>

Aubrey Guzman

One of my most meaningful projects has been documenting Art Alley in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota. What began as a casual exploration of this unique cultural corridor between 6th and 7th Streets evolved into a deeper photographic study of how this space has become a vital canvas for community expression in the Black Hills region. The project took shape as I found myself drawn to the remarkable contrast between the historic brick buildings and the ever-changing street art. Art Alley isn’t just a random collection of graffiti – it’s a sanctioned creative space that has transformed a utilitarian downtown alley into a dynamic outdoor gallery. Read more>>

Runyu Li

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is Runaway Princess Bride. It holds a special place in my career because it was the first project where I took charge of all the post-production coordination, overseeing the project flow from start to finish. This opportunity allowed me to learn and grow immensely—not just in technical skills but also in leadership. I had to coordinate between teams, ensure deadlines were met, and maintain the quality of the final product, all while navigating the unique challenges of a vertical TV show format. Read more>>

Makena Schmidt

One of the most recent projects I’ve worked on was a 9-day documentary journey through South Iceland, which I undertook to capture both the breathtaking natural landscapes and the unique cultural experiences of the region. I had always been fascinated by Iceland’s natural beauty—its waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches—but I wanted to go beyond the typical tourist imagery. I wanted to immerse myself in the local culture, experience the everyday life of Icelanders, and share a more nuanced view of the country. As I was embarking on this journey, I realized it wasn’t just about showcasing beautiful places but also about celebrating the simple, often overlooked details: the taste of a lamb hot dog at a roadside stand, the connection between the landscape and the people who call it home. Read more>>

Jessica Hyun Song

The idea of home has been volatile for me, and I naturally formed closer connections with objects I owned rather than the place I was living in. I also got a sense of being at home from objects rather than the space itself. My precarious relationship with home developed into an exploration of my fear of changes within the home environment and objects. It later evolved into the creation of a personalized ritual, using ritual as a vehicle to become more comfortable with changes and accept the impermanence of all things. Read more>>

Huayi Yu

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my current junior film at CalArts, titled Family Dinner. This film is a deep conversation with myself, and I hope to share it with everyone in the near future. In my first year, I made a film that reflected the awkwardness of my real-life circumstances. In my second year, I dedicated a film to a friendship. By my third year, I felt it was time to create something for myself. I created a fictional family to tell this story, aiming to create a warm and comforting family atmosphere that could touch the softest parts of every viewer’s heart. Read more>>

Ibrahxm

My debut single in 2024, “Feel the Love”, holds a special place in my heart as the most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on. From the very beginning, my intention was to infuse love into every aspect of it—whether it was the cover art, the sound, the lyrics, or the visuals. I wanted each element to resonate with that energy, and I truly feel like I accomplished that. Read more>>

Devon Hall

I believe the current series that I am working on is my most meaningful project to date. It is a series geared towards the many traumatic experiences that people face daily. I believe that art is a representation of the current cultural and social status. However I’ve noticed an increase in the representation of the fantasy/glamorous side life and a decrease on the representation of the more serious topics that plague us at the moment. I’m all for representing our heroes and showing homage to important places and moments from history, but I also believe people need to reflect on the darker side of humanity sometimes, in order to find better ways of coping and healing. I want to tell the stories of those who feel like their voice was stolen or left unheard. Read more>>

Alan Taylor

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts was the creation of an immersive multimedia course for one of our flagship programs. The project involved blending my background in music production, audio engineering, and visual storytelling with SWIHA’s curriculum needs. I was tasked with creating engaging video lessons, recording professional voiceovers, and blending those with carefully designed visuals that would not only educate but inspire our students. I like to call it, “edu-tainment”. Read more>>

Yi Yang

The most meaningful project I have worked on was a play I wrote and directed during my university years, called The Untold Melody. At the time, I was still an engineering student and had joined the drama club out of passion. Simultaneously, I was doing an internship at a construction site while pursuing my next engineering degree. It was around 2017 when numerous news stories about sexual assault against women were surfacing. However, the internet environment in China was not supportive of such discussions. Many reports of sexual assault were censored or deleted. During my construction site internship, I was surrounded by workers who had not received the same level of education as I had. I witnessed a group of workers mocking and bullying a young female worker to the point where she broke down in tears. Hearing her cries reminded me of distant cries I had read about and experienced myself. It also brought back memories of the sexual harassment I had faced growing up. Statistics show that over 70% of women in China have experienced similar situations. Read more>>

Michele Zuckman

In 2015, I was teaching classroom music full-time, raising a young child, and driving across state lines one night a week to conduct an amateur community choir. These were all endeavors that I loved very much, but I began to notice that I had little to no time left to explore my own passions (or even think much about what they were!). I realized that I missed singing in a chamber choir, which is something I had done previously with Princeton Singers before resuming full-time work and motherhood in the Philadelphia area. I literally did a Google search for choirs in Philadelphia — I knew about the main ones but wanted to see what other gems were out there, and I found Chestnut Street Singers, a collaborative chamber choir. Read more>>

Brittany Dix

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far is my current poetry book, The Way You Carry, about pregnancy, motherhood, and postpartum healing. It’s not just a book to me—it’s a journey of transformation and strength. This project has helped me grow in ways I never imagined, evolving me as a woman and giving me an incomparable sense of love and resilience. After giving birth, I struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety. Writing this book became a way to process the pain and confusion I felt, to transform those emotions into something meaningful and healing. Read more>>

Ellen Mueller

The most meaningful recent project I’ve been working on recently is a series of monoprints and drawings entitled, “Home Energy Survey.” In this work, I am examining power as it relates to single family homes, the pre-colonial environment of Minnesota, electrical grids, nature, and larger community systems of infrastructure. I am influenced by my time in the garden where I spend a lot of time with native plants in an urban landscape. Visually, I am drawn to the complexity and unpredictability of watercolor washes in contrast with sharper line work and shapes. Read more>>

Jenny Run

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is producing my first comedy special, which supported donations to NAMI California and Wags & Walks. The backstory of how this special came to life makes it especially close to my heart. When I moved to LA to pursue stand-up comedy, I didn’t anticipate producing a special within my first year. But then, I had a horrible subleasing experience with a dramatic roommate—it was so outrageous that I wanted to write an entire special about it. Initially, my anger fueled the project, but by the time I figured out all the details, that anger had faded. I realized it would be wiser and healthier to redirect that energy into something positive. Instead of focusing on “hating,” I decided to channel my energy into love—and that decision shaped the spirit of my first special. Read more>>

Schwanda Winston

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my recent award-winning web series, Welcome to the Forties. The show follows the lives of four best friends navigating their forties, exploring life’s unpredictable lessons on love, friendship, and evolving careers. Through their journey, they uncover both hilarious and heartbreaking truths about themselves and each other. This project holds a special place in my heart for several reasons. First, it marked my debut as a writer, executive producer, and filmmaker through my production company, Winston and Winston Productions, which I co-own with my husband, Jeffrey Winston. While I had previously written and produced plays, Welcome to the Forties was my first foray into filmmaking—both behind and in front of the camera.  Read more>>

Jay “4g” Gathers

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is a movie currently in development entitled “Bounce Back.” The genre of the film is Horror and Supernatural Thriller. The film is meaningful to me for several reasons. For starters, the film is an extension of my book, a memoir with the same title, which will be loosely based. There were many reasons I chose the horror genre. Primarily me referencing having to overcome demons while telling horrific events I encountered throughout the course of my life. I believe everyone deals with them in one form or another (i.e. alcoholism, drug addictions, sexual molestation, rejection, abuse, etc.) and the list goes on. Therefore I wanted to personify the metaphor “demons” and make it more relatable. I believe the film will speak to a broader and global audience. Read more>>

Richard Metz

The ephemeral outdoor painted tree installations have been very meaningful to me. They arose from my ideas of being in nature, working with nature, making images and telling stories that worked best seen outside in nature. I created a sustainable art practice, using non toxic natural pigments and eggs to create images that fade away in a few years. They would not hurt the trees in any way, but would be surprising and delightful to passers by, both human and non human. Projects over the past 13 years have included myths and native creatures that were created in art residencies across the U.S. Read more>>

Shelby Rae

While all of my books are meaningful to me, Chasing You will always be the one that holds the biggest place in my heart. As an avid reader in my teens, I’ve always loved love. I loved romance and getting to watch as the characters worked their way to their happily ever afters. A lot of the books I read never had characters that looked like me though. Deciding to change that, I came up with the storyline for the It Was Always You series. Read more>>

Kent Donguines

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my first STORYHIVE-funded film, Kalinga (Care). It’s a short documentary about Filipino caregivers and nannies in Vancouver. The project is personal to me because it helped me understand the struggles my mom went through when she had to leave me when I was six to work abroad. The film gave a voice to the Filipino community and their experiences, and through Story Money Impact’s Story to Action program, we were able to share these stories with more people. We hosted panel discussions with the people featured in the film, along with policymakers, lawyers, and activists. It was a way to bring these important conversations to the forefront, especially around issues like immigration and workers’ rights. Read more>>

Damaris Chamorro

Back in 2024, I had the opportunity to work with Paseo Park, located in Queens, New York on different occasions using two mediums that I love: Painting and Photography. Walking along the linear park has allowed me to document how quickly the seasons change. Inspired by this and my fascination with cyanotypes, I created a design for a granite block mural painting, illustrating how beautiful the shift between seasons can be. This project titled, Painting Paseo: 26 blocks of joy was a meaningful project for me because I was surrounded by other artists who were painting their assigned block and sharing their own perspective on what Paseo Park meant to them. Read more>>

Aniya Thorne

My painting Bloom Power is the most meaningful project I’ve created to date. I developed this piece in 2024 as part of my senior thesis at the Fashion Institute of Technology. This painting not only represents the source of my passion but also my desire to share the love and joy I feel when creating. Through my work, I aim to evoke positive emotions, inspire happiness, and encourage a sense of connection among those who view it. In Bloom Power, I’m holding hands with my younger sister and our love materializes into a heart crystal, which awakens all of our pets from the past. Read more>>

Ashley Oken

There have been so many wonderful people that I’ve met throughout my career and insightful stories that I’ve been able to tell as a journalist. One interview that sticks out is a piece I did with the rapper Hopsin a few years ago when I was still a bit greener. As we were chatting about his single that revolves around his childhood and wanting to do better for himself and his family, he talked about abuse patterns and learning how to spot generational issues and break the curse, so to speak. At that time I was thinking about similar things in my own life and patterns. It was so incredibly insightful to me to see someone honestly grapple with that. I appreciate that he was so honest with me about a subject matter that can be difficult to discuss publicly. That interview, like so many others that I’ve done with artists since then, changed my way of thinking about so many things. It’s a testament to the power of art and the connections that music can make for us all. Read more>>

Kisha Edmunds

Myself. Although, the work will never stop because when we chose ourselves; we are forever in progress. The majority of my life, I put the needs of everyone around me first and most of that time I believed that was honorable. I was raised in a neglectful and abusive environment where the needs of my abusers, being my birth mother and stepfather were put first. It wasn’t until I experienced a traumatic premature delivery of my 4th child, a daughter in 2019, when the illusion began to fade. Being by her side opened my eyes to what the love for a daughter from a mother was. It also showed me what it was not. Read more>>

Ivanevid

I have several, but there’s a special-one that I called “STREET FACES by IVANEVID” but let me tell you the story behind this amazing project. I was born and raised in Mexico City, an incredible place, rich in culture and lots of energy from more than 22 million people. From a very young age I began to notice facial features in people I had contact with, such as my family, friends and people in the streets. In other hand I’m very familiar with the steel industry and heavy machinery since early age thanks to the family business, so I began to discover valuable details in metals and their different finishes such as shiny and opaque aspects and how these, although they are inanimate minerals, undergo transformations such as natural deformations and oxidation, so I began to relate this type of changes in people’s faces depending on their mood and personality and of course in the natural process of aging. Read more>>

Rosa Nice

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my latest single, “Ring Around the Rosie”. This song represents a deeply personal journey, both artistically and personally. Its creation coincided with a transformative two-year period during which I lost 120 pounds, a milestone that symbolizes not just physical change but also profound growth in my health, self-discipline, and mindset. The inspiration behind the song lies in the themes of friendship, resilience, and rediscovery. Growing up, music was always a form of self-expression for me, but as I navigated life’s challenges, including balancing my studies, motherhood, and my career, I found myself reconnecting with it on an even deeper level. *Ring Around the Rosie* draws on those experiences, blending beautiful melodies with lyrics that explore communication, relationships, and togetherness. Read more>>

Ferene Paris

“Nothing I accept about myself can be used against me to diminish me.” -Audre Lorde “Love is an action – never just a feeling.” -bell hooks I taught my first storytelling class at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in 2019 while working full-time at the University of Vermont. I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams: Voices of Color Through Storytelling was an affinity-based class for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Vermont residents. This new Flynn collaboration aspired to create space for BIPOC voices to be heard, finding connection and a sense of belonging through shared narratives. I was able to provide our local BIPOC community with a storytelling space to learn and affirm one another, minimizing the impact of microaggressions and harm. At the end of our storytelling series, we celebrated with a story slam opened to the community. It was such a beautiful gift of reciprocity between the storytellers and the receivers of the stories.  Read more>>

Branislava Ranitovic

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the founding of ULJUS (Arts Appreciation Society) and the International Piano Competition Smederevo. Both initiatives began in 2014, and this year we are celebrating their 12th edition. What makes this project so meaningful to me is the opportunity to contribute to the global cultural landscape. Through these projects, we’ve created a platform that connects talented musicians from all over the world and promotes the arts on a much wider scale. Over 3,500 young artists from around 60 countries have participated so far, and by sharing performances online, we enable visitors from around the world to experience and appreciate their talent. Over the years, I’ve seen how these initiatives have not only nurtured talent but also fostered greater global understanding and appreciation for the arts. Read more>>

Casey Green

The Tilly Project is a non-profit organization that helps set up people whose family pets are sick or dying with a photographer in their area to photograph their last moments. Its ironic that the first few professional gigs I did were end of life photos before I even knew about The Tilly Project. I immediately registered and now I am only one of two photographers in Alabama listed on the Tilly website that offers this service. I have found that while these types of shoots can be very hard, it is a privilege to be welcomed into these moments. A lot of people, like myself, view pets as family and these deaths can be incredibly hard, The professional keepsakes are worth the tears. I have had many people reach out and tell me they wished they had done this with their pets.  Read more>>

Matthew Appleby

In 2022, my first feature film as writer, director, and producer, “Adam and the Water”, premiered. The film debuted at the Washington DC Independent Film Festival, where it won the “Best of Fest” award. After screening at several film festivals, the film was acquired by Freestyle Digital Media and was released on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, and more. The process took five years from start to finish, and was done independently by a small crew. I started writing the script as soon as I finished my MFA in acting from the Actors Studio Drama School, and the process instantly changed the focus of my creative efforts. The years spent working on the film was a masterclass for me in both filmmaking and business. I had to learn and execute each step of the process, from fundraising, creating budgets, writing grants, and reviewing legal contracts to screenwriting, shot lists, editing trailers, and on-set directing. Read more>>

Shih-chun Hsiao

I’m currently working on a documentary titled Play It Up. This project is particularly special to me, not only because it’s my first feature documentary editing job, but also because of its powerful story about how music education can build and strengthen communities. When we think of music education, we often associate it with privilege and elite institutions. However, this documentary shifts the focus to places like El Paso, Texas, and remote towns in Alaska, where music education is making a profound impact. What I love about this project is how it highlights educators who prioritize holistic development over training professional musicians. Their approach uses music as a tool to teach children respect for their surroundings, collaboration, and how to become better individuals. Read more>>

Chris Freezie

I look at clothes like art, the shirt, sweater or pants is my canvas, and I feel obligated to add meaning to everything I create. As of recent, one of my most favorite designs we did was the renaissance collection (shorts and sandals). As a designer, moments in history is one of my biggest motivators for creating. In this example, the renaissance era is that moment in time. The renaissance and baroque art periods created so many inspirational lanes for myself, as I feel it is the pinnacle of creativity. I was glad when the idea was discussed, and even more excited to see the art being created from scratch. What added to the special moment was the response we received from our supporters. In an era where creativity is often substituted, it always feels good receiving positive feedback for being creative. Read more>>

Sohaj Brar

From a young age, I’ve been driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact—one that uplifts people and businesses while addressing real-world challenges. Among the projects I’ve worked on, my time at Meta as a designer stands out as the most impactful. Through this work, I was able to directly enhance the value small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) derive from their efforts on Meta’s platforms, both in the U.S. and globally. Small businesses are often run by what I call “one-person armies”—individuals who wear multiple hats daily, managing everything from operations and finances to customer relationships and problem-solving. On top of this, they’re tasked with finding ways to grow and scale their business, often relying on platforms like Meta to reach wider audiences and drive growth. Read more>>

B.a. Wikoff

The most meaningful project is always the one I’m currently working on. Recently, I’ve been developing a series of screen prints focusing on the evolution of repetitive marks created through generations of prints. The series is centered around the existence of black-and-white thinking. Black-and-white thinking is a term used to describe a pattern of cognitive distortion where the mind thinks in absolutes rather than accepting that the decisions and choices surrounding them can appear more abstract. I was inspired by how these thoughts developed over time. What did they look like? Is there a gray area? How is this “gray area” created? I began by self-reflecting. I started investigating where that pattern started within myself, how I thought it was created, and how it would evolve. Read more>>

Gwen Gunyung Lee

My most meaningful project is the “And Then” project. As its title suggests, it helped me take the next step forward in my journey. “And Then” is a 7-minute-long 2D animation that I wrote, directed, and produced. The idea for the film came from a personal habit of frequently losing things due to carelessness, accompanied by excuses like, “My key must have grown legs and walked away.” The film explores how and why people lose valuable things and how they feel afterward, using a whimsical chain reaction to visualize these emotions. Read more>>

Haiyang Sun

The most meaningful project I have worked on so far is contributing to one of my favorite games, Overwatch. I was contacted by one of their directors via email; they saw my work online, liked it, and decided to reach out to me. I had the opportunity to collaborate with the talented team at Blizzard Entertainment and work alongside some of my favorite artists and art heroes. It has been a very fun and satisfying journey. I’ve worked on many character skin concepts and weapon designs, and hopefully, I’ll be able to share some of them online in the near future! Read more>>

Tammy Ratcliff

I designed a textile installation in a tiny gallery space that was very meaningful in the way that people interacted with the work. The gallery (Capacity 3) wanted shows that addressed the awkward space, a sort of utility closet under a large staircase. Because of the intimacy of the space, and what I perceived to be difficult times (at the end of 2019) I thought I could create an opportunity for people to share handmade messages of compassion. Read more>>

Amy Sun

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far is being a part of MESH, UW’s first ever fashion design student organization. Coming into college, I had given up any dreams I had of participating in fashion or fashion design ever again, as I knew that UW had no such community. Fashion communities existed, but fashion shows and student designers did not exist as a collective. In my freshman fall, I miraculously found 5 other people who were just as passionate about fashion design as I was, and together we founded MESH. These 5 amazing people were Manya, Dan, Ten, Tianna, and Archie. Manya was who brought us together – throughout the next year, we would build a community that was focused on collective creativity, creating space for each other, and providing resources for each other. Read more>>

Deonta Young

The Dope Gurlz Web Series project is extremely meaningful to me because of the editing that will take place.. I recently did a web series about Marietta GA that was so unique but I couldn’t edit really because it was real live moments captured in real time.. with the Dope Gurlz project it will have a cast and I can get every angle and connect the dots. Read more>>

Tamarah Tsinnie-butler

The most meaningful project I’ve created, was a painting I did a few years ago with my late father. It was done over the phone and sending pictures back and forth via text message. We shared stories of what stories we’ve learned over time. As he was an artist himself. It was a nice experience doing a project with him. He did not paint but he sketched and carved katsina. The painting was of a matriarch sitting next to her rug in progress as she spun more wool to finish her weaving. Read more>>

Tokeli Baker

Being the President of this organization does not mean having an ego boost. It means being a part of something bigger than myself. It means being part of a dedicated team. It means working hard every day for the right reasons. It means visionary leadership where I feel I can help an organization that serves an artist population to grow and flourish. I’ve always been the kind of person who sees what they call The Bigger Picture. It’s like I can see into the future, knowing what needs to be done in three months to make something happen in six. It means seeing all the moving parts and how they work together. When I was about 13, I wandered around my neighborhood (at the time I was living in Bankers Hill) and got a bunch of kids together (I kind of strong-armed them) to do an original production of “Little Red Riding Hood” in a makeshift theatre in my back yard. We rehearsed our butts off and then I dragged them around back to their houses to guilt their parents into attending. We even had chairs and programs. I think it was something I just had to do. I was tired of the isolation of watching cartoons after school. I wanted something more, not just for me but for the whole rag-tag gang. And it worked. The kids felt proud and the parents at least pretended to be impressed. Read more>>

Lisa Hightower

Let me help you craft this into a polished response for your magazine interview, maintaining your authentic voice while enhancing the narrative flow and emotional resonance. The most meaningful project I’m currently working on is The Vineyard Wine Fest, where I’ve recently become Lead Partner with equity ownership alongside the founder. This festival is particularly special because it’s created by artists, for artists, with a powerful vision to expand across the United States and eventually bridge the African & Black Diaspora, creating performance opportunities for artists both here and abroad. The other beautiful thing is, I have been able to bring my team with me and open up a door for them to also share in the equity by offering their unique abilities and highly competent skills. Read more>>

Lucas Geor

Of all my projects, my current ongoing and evolving body of work researching, documenting and capturing New York’s vanishing vernacular landscape has become my most meaningful work to date. As an Australian artist now based in Brooklyn, I’ve found myself captivated by the rich visual heritage of American culture – particularly the often-overlooked establishments that give neighborhoods their authentic character. Read more>>

Abby Berman

The most meaningful project that I have worked on was actually a two-part project. In 2018, after taking a long break from music, I released a short album, “Don’t Kiss the Frogs,” and paired it with a small book of poetry and lyrics called, “The Frog Kissed Me.” It was the first release I’ve ever done that was distributed in any major way. The recording and production took years, but when it was finally complete I was thrilled! Read more>>

Carolina Lebar

Twelve years ago, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. I had some ideas about what I wanted to accomplish—primarily working with galleries and possibly designing book covers. Looking back, I realize I was quite inexperienced, but everyone has to start somewhere. I had heard that it takes ten years to master a skill, so I planned to dedicate a decade to this journey and see where it would lead me. Read more>>

Jeison Hurtado Moreno

The most meaningful project that I ever have worked on is a foundation that work in progress of the wealth of the people in need. Read more>>

Ziyu ‘arwen’ Wang

In my past two years at USC, I have worked extensively as a producer on many SCA projects. The most meaningful experience was “The Teapot Incident” during the production of Comet Orphan, a comedy mockumentary about a woman convinced she’s an alien. Drawn to its sensitive exploration of alienation, I eagerly joined as a producer. With limited funding, we secured sponsorship from the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, whose students joined our cast and crew. However, creative tensions quickly arose. Strasberg actors favored traditional, performance-driven storytelling, while the director and I envisioned an experimental, non-linear approach. This divide even surfaced in trivial debates, like which tea to stock in the lounge teapot. Read more>>

Sjae

There have been some projects that I didn’t realise were impactful until they were out there in the world. For example, I wrote and produced a song called ‘Burn It Down’ with Australian artist, Ricki-Lee Coulter some years ago and she received a message from someone saying that the song had saved them from committing suicide. That stopped me in my tracks, I felt so overcome with emotion. Stunned by the notion that our song had been a vehicle for good, and also really honored that it had made such a positive impact in someone’s life. I had heard other stories of how the first record I ever professionally produced – ‘What Will I Do’ by Terri Walker on Def Jam UK, had saved people’s marriages and relationships. Read more>>

Ellen Clifford

My senior year in college, our capstone performance was a seven-minute one-person play we had to write and perform. I hated the assignment at first because I had that “I’m an actor, I say other people’s words” mindset. And then, well, I got an idea. It was a comical short that began with me dressed like Dolly Parton with these gigantic balloon boobs and…well I’ll leave off there. The rest of the play dealt with body image, which has always been a big thing with me as I was a pretty tragic anorexic for like, the first twenty-one years of my life, and would love for other people not to have to go through all that. The short play was very well-received and I was encouraged to expand on it. I turned it into a one-hour and then moved to Los Angeles. Read more>>

Shanmathy Kumaravel

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on is the Baltimore Lookbook, a collection showcasing over 125 local vendors. Growing up in a small, nature-filled village in Tamil Nadu, India, storytelling was second nature to me. With limited access to technology, my creativity thrived on imagination and observation. From crafting my first handmade books to designing for communities, it’s always been about one thing: connecting people through stories. Read more>>

Katharine League

I am learning the answer to this question is whatever project I am currently working on, or up next. I think that is because when you write, direct, or produce, you really have to be all-in on whatever project sits in front of you. Each story has meaning and each represents a little part of yourself. The project I am currently working on is called “Down to the Last Touch.” It is my MFA thesis short film and focuses on a high school swimmer battling with performance anxiety on the day of a big meet. As modern-day athletes like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps are trying to show us, there is a whole other story taking place behind what we see on camera. Read more>>

Marlen Lugo

Early on my career I had an interesting dream, where I saw a coffee percolator surrounded by names of teas and their qualities in a type of futuristic machine. Needless to say I have never seen a percolator in my life, or drank much tea as coming from the Caribbean stovetops expresso machines were how we consumed our daily coffee. That same day I walked into a thrift shop where this older lady was selling her goods and there it was, the same glass item I had seen in my dreams. Of course I was amazed and asked the woman what was it’s use. She thoroughly described its mechanics, but will have none of it as I mentioned I seen it in my dreams. She continuously replied… ‘It has nothing to do with it’… Read more>>

Hannah Seiden

When I look back at all I have done and accomplished, there are some of the coolest projects that have been dreams come true to me. Projects that I connected with so deeply, and carry with me today. But if I really have to reflect on what “meaningful” even means, I come back to a project I made last year for a dear family member of mine. This family member first and foremost is one of the most incredible people you will ever meet. Intelligent, the BIGGEST heart, hilarious, empathetic, hard working, and resilient. And as so many, they also have their own demons. This person is an addict. They have extreme trauma that I cannot share, but enough that it would drive anyone to complete darkness. Yet they still are able to get out of the hole, even when they relapse. There was a moment where I went to go help this person, they were on a bender and alone. We took them to my parents house, and while we were on our way, a silly song was playing while I caught their reflection in the side view mirror. It was one of complete sadness, heartbreaking. The complete opposite of what we were hearing on the radio. A song that he himself put on, while inside he suffered. I vowed in that moment that it would be my project.  Read more>>

Abigail Nations

In the summer of 2023, a gentleman contacted me inquiring about a custom pair of earrings. He wanted a pair of lighthouse earrings for his wife’s birthday, but not just any lighthouse—the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Lighthouses became a significant part of their life when their handicapped child grew fascinated by them. Their son, Josh survived the many surgeries and health issues after the doctor told them he wouldn’t make it past three years old. They abruptly lost their son in 2017 and to this day, they love lighthouses and she wears the earrings nearly every day. This project was meaningful to me because I created something that will be cherished for years. Read more>>

Jean-baptiste Mellinand

It was my fourth year at York University for theatre and I hadn’t been very active in the community. There were several reasons for this but generally I hadn’t found my people during that time as a performer. However, out of the blue I got a call from one of my very good friends John Cleave. We had met on zoom in first year and had kept in touch ever since. He pitched me the idea that he wanted direct and wanted me to act in a two man show called Danny and the Deep Blue Sea by John Patrick Shanley. Read more>>

Brendan Burke

I was the one who started the Christian Music Bros Podcast. Because I loved Christian music and thought it was amazing, I asked Bradden, my old cohost who was working with me at NewReleaseToday at the time, whether he would like to co-host a Christian music podcast. Bradden consented to participate in the show. We began by discussing music, track by track, from albums. TobyMac’s “Life After Death” and Riley Clemmons’ “Godsend” were among the other CDs we talked about. Many of these albums were a lot of fun to discuss. Read more>>

Marea Cordero

This past year, I was a part of a program called Brushes with Cancer via the Twist Out Cancer Organization. This experience was an opportunity to connect with people in the cancer community and elevate their experiences. I created a piece illustrating my inspiration partner’s story growing up with a parent that fought cancer. She took inspiration from her father’s strength to not only survive but, serve the cancer community. Abby is a young woman who grew up learning her father had non-Hodgkins lymphoma only after his recovery. At six-years-old, she was spared the truth until years later. Angry at first, she later understood the secrecy. Read more>>

Grant Merritt

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my children’s book, “A Puppy’s Tale.” It’s inspired by my dog, Achilles, who passed away in May 2024 after being by my side for over thirteen years. He wasn’t just a pet—he was my best friend and had a profound impact on my life. Writing this book was my way of honoring his memory and sharing the joy and life lessons he brought into my world. The process of creating “A Puppy’s Tale” allowed me to reflect on the bond we shared and how he shaped my perspective on love, patience, and loyalty. Read more>>

Courtney Brooks

The most meaning project I have work on and still working on is Journey of a Black Girl. What began as a curatorial project in 2020 as the inaugural curator in residence for Art on the Atlanta BeltLine has grown in a platform and apparel brand the celebrates Black girls and women. Journey of a Black Girl was created for a public art exhibition, a curatorial narrative, that visually shares experiences from the innocence of black adolescence to black womanhood from a creative’s point of view. Merging the core of self-expression, sisterhood and integrating everyday rituals and practices passed down through our ancestors. Enlightening experiences dedicated to the moments when we learned we are Black, growing, and learning to stand in power, accepting ours flaws and embracing the true beauty of freedom inside and out. Read more>>

Tricia Rainwater

Traveling the Choctaw Route of the Trail of Tears was deeply meaningful to me. Two years ago, with the support of a grant from the San Francisco Arts Commission, I was able to create work about my ancestors’ forced removal and the long, harrowing walk they endured. Over two and a half weeks, I traveled through Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and ultimately to Oklahoma. Along the way, I hiked up to the original trail bed in Arkansas, visited Nanih Waiya (our sacred mound) in Winston County, Mississippi, and saw the site of my grandfather’s old church, which had been leveled. Read more>>

Maria-elena (misuser)

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on would have to be my last EP, “Gritona”. It represents so much to me as it came from a very tough period in my life. Part of me believes that my feelings would’ve come out in some way eventually, but to take the stress I had experienced and turn it into something tangible that I could exorcise from my body took a lot of energy that, for a while, I wasn’t sure I had. There is a lot of pain on that record, but now when I look back at that period, I only think about how much love was around me and how much support I had from the ones I hold dear. Read more>>

Dana Clouser

This past December, I wrote and performed my first one-woman cabaret titled “What a Basic B”. I had been wanting to do a cabaret since my senior year of college, when my close friend wrote one of her own. The only issue was that I didn’t have any idea what I wanted it to be about. Fast forward 6 years, I hadn’t been in a production in over a year and was dying to get back on-stage. So, rather than waiting for a show to choose me, I chose to make my own. Read more>>