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.

Ace Truen

I have a new music Project I’m about to release Titled ” Freedom” on July 4, 2023. The backstory is My Story, my Father’s Story and my Ancestors story. On a Quest or shall I say a journey for Freedom. In my heart I still feel we are in chains in more ways than one which are Mentally, Physically and Spiritually. Read more>>

Alexis Hunter

I’ve been fortunate enough to have more than a few meaningful projects in my practice so far! Some highlights would definitely have to include my beloved Others project and most recently, INVASIVE SPECIES. Others is a social practice project documenting the faces and stories of 34 biracial individuals in central Texas. Read more>>

Wesley Barnes

As an artist, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we only want to do work that we enjoy. Work that is fun, exciting, and meaningful. Now I will admit, sometimes it is hard for me to make sure that I always find a way to find some kind of joy in a project. Finding a moment to experience joy and to share that and give others an opportunity to share in that is meaningful. The connections that we make with our peers and viewers. Read more>>

Paula Marie

One of the projects that holds great meaning to me is the creation and publication of my journal called “Journaling Through Grief.” This journal serves as a valuable tool for navigating the challenging journey of grieving the loss of a loved one. Read more>>

Andrew Kaminski

Not too long ago, I arrived back from Bangkok, Thailand. The land of hungry ghosts. I thought it was a Buddhist paradise. I went there looking for enlightenment. Kind of silly, huh? You’re not really supposed to go looking for enlightenment, ya know? You’re just supposed to realize it inside yourself. I knew this, but went to Thailand anyway, because, ya never know what you’ll find. Hop on the plane, and see what happens, right? Read more>>

Bernice Ye

My project is called “Fine Imports.” It’s a global entertainment platform and community-based movement with the vision of celebrating immigrants and cultures around the world. It starts as a live comedy show in the very early stage but goes much bigger. It’s about changing the narrative of immigrants from “aliens” to “fine imports”, it’s about providing a platform to elevate much-needed yet underrepresented voices, and it’s about creating a community where different cultures break barriers, connect, and mingle with each other. Read more>>

John Kaler

I really enjoyed working on the feature film, The Unexpecteds because it’s a story that’s relevant to a phenomenon going on right now with Scam artists, influencers and internet fame. The Unexpecteds is a story about Gary (Matt Walsh) and his best friends seek revenge against a social media influencer who has scammed them of their life savings. Read more>>

Mason Green

I finished “The Mountain EP” recently, which was quite an accomplishment since I was struggling with a lot of anxiety and having a difficult time staying focused on any project. Read more>>

Jane Steelman

The most meaningful projects I create are portraits. I love to paint children and pets. These are very meaningful to the people who commission these paintings. It is extremely rewarding when the portrait is unveiled and the client is moved emotionally. I know I have captured the essence of the person or animal when this happens. Read more>>

Jacqueline Schumann

I’m very lucky, in that I have the privilege to decide only to work with fashion brands that conduct business with higher ethics and values than the industry norm, so for me, all of the projects I do feel extremely meaningful and fulfilling. Whether I’m working with a newbie startup brand helping them to understand the impacts of typical denim production or helping with CADs in a design department- it’s all fulfilling. I very much enjoy my work :) Read more>>

Max Devereaux

Back in 2021 I was in between apartments, moving from city to city, trying to find a place to call home. During that period I briefly lived with my brother Nelson and his then fiancee (now wife) in their cozy, Northeast Minneapolis home. It was the first time he and I had been living under the same roof in a few years and so we took the opportunity to sit down and write a few songs for an album Read more>>

David Kirkman

I’m an independent filmmaker based in St. Louis and I would say we can track my origin story to 11th grade. Really up until that point I thought music was what I would pursue with my life- playing piano, cello, violin, and even making some. But then I saw the behind the scenes to the movie “Inception”, Read more>>

Billy Rivera

About a year after accepting Christ as my Savior and walking in His ways, He called my wife and I to administer an online ministry. Our ministry is called Him + Us Ministry and our purpose (God’s design or vision) is to evangelize, educate and provide a judgement-free zone for christians and non-christians; to learn about God’s word and promises. Read more>>

Seanice Batchman

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was a piece titled “wats yo name?”. I created this piece while going through the frustrations of being a black woman moving on my own, constantly having to deal with men around me, not knowing if I move incorrectly if it’ll be fatal or if I’ll be considered “what wrong with black women today”. Read more>>

Alyssa Rose

I choreographed a piece this past year to the song Separate Ways by Journey. The version I used was a remixed take on the song that was used in a Stranger Things trailer. I heard this remix for the first time 4 months prior to the start of rehearsals and I thought to myself wow that is such an impactful song that makes me feel something.  Read more>>

Nina Hirten

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is the music video for my song “Criminal (Panopticon)”. It was a really heavy remix of my original song “Criminal” done by JP Anderson of Rabbit Junk, who totally nailed a banger of a mix, and once I heard it I immediately knew what I wanted to do for a video. Read more>>

Marcus Tucker

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on thus far has been my tour, A Goofy Tour. This tour commenced in January 2023 and ended in February 2023. Read more>>

Chase Nickoles

I have recently been working on a small animation featuring a character I first doodled almost a decade ago called “Jerry Octo P.I.” and it has been a real treat to bring Jerry and his world to life while pushing myself through learning multiple new programs, designing sounds, closing my college career, and bringing friends of all backgrounds together into a project of my own. Read more>>

William Jacobs

Meaningful projects begin in small communities. Remote from the din of the mainstream film industry and amidst the serene sea of Midwest cornfields, I have embarked upon the creation of my debut feature film, Poet in a Modern World—entirely shot on 16 mm film and solely comprised of local talent. Some might consider it sheer lunacy, others dogged passion. Read more>>

Bill Chott

The most meaningful project of my life has just begun, Camp Wekantu. WeKanTu Kidz empowers kids of all abilities to gain confidence to be successful in life through creative expression. We’ll be teaching improv, acting, dance and other activites in the arts. You can find more info about it here: https://wekantu.org/ Read more>>

Tammy Vice

The Breaking The Chains Autism Benefit, held at the Bluebird Cafe’, celebrated it’s 20th year this past April. This is dear to my heart because our daughter was diagnosed with autism at age 3 1/2. She’ll be 30 years old this November. In 1997, when Morgan was diagnosed, Read more>>

DoC Bravo

My most meaningful project was most definitely a short film I made called “Zombie, My Friend”. The reason it’s my most meaningful project is because during production I actually felt like I made it, we had a Hollywood like atmosphere. We had a makeup artist, a WWE superstar and for me being a huge wrestling fan that was a celebrity in my eyes Read more>>

Juana Alicia Araiza

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was the collaborative MAESTRAPEACE mural on The San Francisco Women’s Building, with six other women artists: Miranda Bergman, Edythe Boone, Susan Kelk Cervantes, Meera Desai, Yvonne Littleton and Irene Perez. Read more>>

Shade’ Elliott

The most meaningful project so far that I worked on would be between the music video styling I did for YSL Young Thug & HiDoraah or the fashion show that I held in Richmond, VA in 2021. Both projects are very meaningful to me because I got to work with some of my favorite artists and experience the YSL family first hand. That was a very inspirational project and moment for me. Read more>>

Ty Snyder

MINUS as a whole has created a unique opportunity for all of us to create music that is meaningful to us with the hope it would become meaningful to others. It’s been the story of our journey as a band. Read more>>

Lauren Jane

This year I published my first children’s book The Good Witches’ Kitchen. Read more>>

Lindsey Creel Cherry

I arrived in the fine art realm a few years ago, though I spent the decade prior in apparel design. It is common practice to separate the two ideas, art and design, as if there is little distinct connection or overlap. I don’t believe this divide is as deep as it is promoted to be. I spent 10 years in apparel design under the brand M.E. Shirley, finding success selling in retail stores, on Project Runway, and with opportunities like speaking at TEDX Youth. Read more>>

Derwood (Tensas) Willhite

Rocky Mountain Music Society and Tall Tale Records Read more>>

Amanda Quick

The primary function of my platform is to promote science based, punishment free training for all species, regardless of their genetics or what behaviors need to be modified. I am passionate about helping families and pets, particularly “problem” pets, stay together by promoting humane, pain free training. Read more>>

Kalah Crawford

My name is Kalah and I have been in the business of art since 2017. I was able to understand and embrace my creativity when I decided to use my painting as a form of expression and noticed they spoke to a wider audience outside of myself. Some of my first pieces were created using nail polish because I didn’t have any paint at the time. Read more>>

Kathryn Roszak

I produce the Women Directors, Choreographers, and Composers Program in San Francisco and New York City. It’s a legacy project to highlight women. While I’ve built an impressive body of my own work, like many women, I’m not in a position to erect a building. My legacy is my work, particularly highlighting outstanding women in the arts and presenting the challenges they have overcome. We are part of the movement to improve the dance field for women. Read more>>

Gary Hines

Jazz, Blues, Spirituals, Rock & Roll, R&B, Gospel, Hip-hop & Soul – These are The Sounds of Blackness! Read more>>

Lisa Powell

It has been great working on my radio show. Writing and researching content that my listeners can relate to. Read more>>

Christina Priavolou

My most meaningful project dates back to 2018. At that time, in collaboration with Habibi.Works, an intercultural makerspace that brings together refugees and Greek locals in the North of Greece (https://habibi.works/), we co-produced a portable chicken coop. The aim was to help the local refugee community serve their daily needs. Read more>>

Brittany Ervin

The most meaningful projects that I’ve worked on are my writing discussions and workshops. It is an enriching experience helping others reach their creative goals. Read more>>

PJ Repetto

New release called Goodboy about a girl and her dog Read more>>