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.

Madi Lyn

I recently wrapped production on my first major short. It’s a script I’ve been working on for years now and one that I’m particularly proud of. I’m finishing up the editing phase, that’s taken me entirely too long, but then it’s out to the festival circuit. Read more>>

Selysa Love

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was creating a TEDx talk–dance titled ‘Can Grief Break the Cycle of Abuse?’ I knew I had a message to share, and I knew I couldn’t just stand there and talk like a normal person. I’m a circus performer. I’m meant to tell stories with my whole body and soul. Read More>>

Rachel Barcellona

I’ve worked on several meaningful projects, and I believe that every project has a story! However, I work in several professions, so I’m juggling so many different mediums at once. All of my favorite projects are when it comes to acting, I’ve been in two Off Broadway plays with my theater troupe – EPIC Players, which is a troupe for actors with disabilities. Read More>>

Grant Maloy Smith

In 2016, I was writing a song, and the words that kept coming into my mind for the chorus were ‘Never Seen the Rain’ – I didn’t know what it meant yet, but I just loved the way that the words wrapped around the melody and rhythm that I was playing on the guitar. Read More>>

Emmanuel George

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far has been H.A.C. (History, Art, and Culture) H.A.C. is a multi-media company through documentary filmmaking and print media from books, to flashcards. H.A.C. consists of myself Emmanuel George, David Paulo, and Samuel Woods. Under the H.A.C. umbrella we have The Hub which is our Documentary channel. Read More>>

Eva Creel

My six year old son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) this year. While he was still in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) I went to the library to find children’s picture books about T1D so he could feel normal and less alone; the library didn’t have any. I was shocked, and angry. Read More>>

Ekaterina Konovalova

I’d like to share the story of Trust Me Mom – a podcast, blog, and website where I share interviews and insights from leading experts in parenting, psychology, and childhood development, as well as scientists and researchers, to help struggling parents navigate their challenging journey. Read More>>

Jaime Rose Farreh

The project that I am currently working on. I am using a medium format twin lens reflex camera to shoot the 22 squares of the city of Savannah. The project is being done in black and white, and the particular camera I am using utilizes a square medium format negative. The approach I am taking is two fold. Read More>>

Quettie Da Don

I believe the most meaningful project is always the project that you’re currently working on. Because one day you feel this way, and the next day you will feel another. What you wanted out of life five years ago can be completely different than what you want now. Read More>>

Ananya Vahal

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is the Lung Girl comic book series. It is very close to my heart and is saving lives! In addition to being a professional writer, I am also the President of The Sid Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for lung transplant research and recipients. Read More>>

Ryan Marthaller

The official music video to my song “Grief” came out on December 4th. The Grief music video takes you through my personal journey of losing my dad — both metaphorically and realistically. It opens with a real home video of us together before cutting to the same place years later, where it’s just me. That heavy silence becomes the starting point of my story. Read More>>

Michael DeLalla

Hi, it’s great to chat again with CanvasRebel. Earlier this year my second book was published, Interestingly, Encounters with the Cosmic Messenger isn’t a music book per se. With a title like that, I better offer some context. Encounters with the Cosmic Messenger is a collection of essays drawn from my years of tour journals, blogs and essays. So yes, there is a music connection. Read More>>

Huan Sun

“and the glaciers echoed” is one of the most meaningful projects I have ever undertaken. The piece began with an encounter. By chance, I came across Katie Paterson’s installation Vatnajökull (the sound of), in which she transmitted live audio from the Jökulsárlón lagoon in Iceland—the largest glacier in Europe—through a waterproof microphone. Read More>>

Peyton Fennell

I’ve worked on so many projects that have felt meaningful in different ways, each one impactful for both me and the people involved. But the most meaningful one to me personally was my solo photo exhibition, I’m Still Proud of You, which I curated and hosted for my birthday this year. Read More>>

Neena Massey

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on? Well, I can’t just pick one because everything is interconnected. However, approaching all my projects through the lens of healing and transformation is what feels most meaningful. A community-based project that I’m currently working on through this lens is the Annual Community Gathering and the Energy of Life installation at Nurture Denver. Read More>>

Caryn Sanchez

In 1998 I wrote and directed my first film. It was a short film; a coming of age story about a young woman preparing to leave her family and home in a small town to attend a writing program in a distant city. Read More>>

Julia Lemke

Last year, I published my first book, “Silent Sound: 44 Poems to Hear Your Soul.” This book shares my story of the six years leading up to publication. Read More>>