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.

Nicolas Banks

My latest single, “Move” has been the most meaningful project thus far. This is the title of my latest song where I have recorded it in English and Japanese and performed it in English, Japanese, and a Korean translation. I was nervous about doing this track at first because I was worried people would think of me as appropriating the East Asian cultures. Read more>>

Synah Johnson

One project that comes to mind is the process of creating my most recent EP I’ve been working on. This project isn’t just about the music; it’s a journey of becoming my actualized self that I am so far. Being a singer-songwriter and plus size curve model has given me a unique perspective on self-expression, self-acceptance, and breaking boundaries. This EP is my opportunity to intertwine all these aspects of my life. Read more>>

Abigail Vettese

In my experience, finding meaning and intentionality in creative pursuits will always outweigh monetary or financial value acquired by expression. The infusion of deep meaning into my work has consistently made the process more important, enjoyable, and compelling; it results in something I can reflect on with a sense of pride, rather than manufacturing projects solely for financial or reputational gain. I find that, in all of my various creative ventures, whether sonic, visual or beyond, meaning is at the heart of my mission. Read more>>

Derek Douglas

One of my most meaningful projects to date was a project that I did for a venue in Las Vegas called “Level Up” inside the MGM Grand Hotel. The project was curated by Austin Spencer and I was surrounded by so many artists that I have looked up to for years. I truly felt like I was out of my league from a talent standpoint and I was beyond intimidated. Read more>>

Melissa Libutti

Reality vs Imagination, Individuality vs Conformity, Perfection vs Expressionism, Compliance vs Freedom, Strength vs Pain, are all constant battles in my mind. These issues not only resound through my work but resonate with the Worlds issues today. Every year I contribute a piece to www.haloartsproject.com ’s, Angels for Artists Annual Auction and www.https://www.bestbuddies.org/wisconsin. Read more>>

Nancy COX

I recently collaborated with a friend and colleague in an event at my house and countryside property entitled “The Joy of Nature Immersion.” Jennifer is a recently certified Forest Therapy Guide. The event was held for five hours as an open house to my displayed watercolor landscapes, all done on location, and for sale. Read more>>

Dan Leibel

When Giant Ledge Production Co. first came into existence, the simplified goal was to present the work of world class artists to our local communities here in New York City. I focused on the quality of our projects more than than anything else. This meant aiming high and taking risks to collaborate with top-tier performers in the jazz scene, photography world, painting scene and more – all while Giant Ledge hadn’t yet created a name or reputation as an organization. Read more>>

Tim Mathis

So I moved to Los Angeles in 2017 after doin a spot on Hart of the City with Kevin Hart and jumped into comedic acting. Unfortunately this was right around the time that Hollywood started making less comedies in general and many were, well, not all that funny. Read more>>

Dreg Vega

The Most meaningful project ive worked on and continue to work on is a network of creatives called “The BlackCollar Collective.” The network consists of streamers, musicians, artists, comedians, authors etc. from all across the globe. I started this network during the pandemic when i filled in my quarantine tie with live streaming on twitch. Read more>>

Neil Goss

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is “Biocentric Interconnectedness.” I’ve done a couple different versions of the participatory-based, performative art installation. The project is the result of the idea that no matter how large or small, we all have an impact upon the larger workings of the world and those around us. Every action and decision that we make will fissure out beyond the self. Read more>>

Nick Barghini

This is how I decide whether a project is worth working on: Read more>>

Jessica Hoover

As a ghostwriter, my career was primarily for Billboard Hot 100 artists and placements. Now I also have the joy of working with independent artists whose passion is palpable and contagious. I’m working on a handful of projects at the moment with incredibly talented artists, but there’s one that’s a first for me. Read more>>

Nirvana Crystal

To be able to share my art with others and have people connect together through creative expression and community is my vision for art. Some meaningful projects I have created are live community paints and paint and sip celebrations. The live community paint was held at The Eastburgh Arts and Music Festival in East Liberty, a part of Pittsburgh. Read more>>

Ashley Rapp

The most meaningful project that I worked on would be a maternity shoot for a newlywed couple, that was expecting their first baby! They had no clue what the gender would be and just genuinely in-love with whoever and whatever this child would be. Read more>>

Satori Shakoor

There have been many meaningful projects that I’ve founded, created and worked on. They have all prepared me to identify myself as a storyteller and social entrepreneur. When I lived in Honolulu, I produced a television show called “Satori’s Tearoom” where I would interview local artists in the community. Read more>>

Triana Akila

I just dropped my very first EP – Love Chronicles! Most of the tracks were written back in 2018…it’s as if you were reading my journal. This project is a culmination of the love, loss, and lessons that come with love, so it’s very personal and relatable. I had a release concert for it and all of my people paid to come see me! It was amazing seeing all of the hard work finally come together. Read more>>

River Kai Pilger

Readers often ask if I’ve written myself into my novels or comics. I like to tell them that while I wouldn’t want to torture myself like that, every story I’ve written is a deeply personal part of my own healing. I love to experience each of my characters’ journeys with them, resolving huge fictional problems with real-world connections that feel insurmountable in real life. Read more>>

The Tracy Piper

Finding your true life’s purpose comes from melding your passions with positive impacts on the world and your local community. I’ve been a full-time artist for 11 years, and I have always considered myself to be a ‘painter for everyone.’ Each work is a deep dive into the true beauty of what it means to be alive. Read more>>

Rebecca Thompson

I’ve always loved tapping into my creative side. I had taken a few art classes throughout my years in school and kept a stack of filled sketchbooks in my bedroom closet. I literally remember my first self portrait – it more closely resembled something a child is scared to find under their bed than my reflection. Read more>>

TERRY WOLLMAN

I’d like to share the story of recording my 9th album “Surface.” A lot of albums were recorded during the Pandemic, but the shared experience with the global musicians I collaborated with to create these recordings was quite unique in that we found a way to “connect” on a deeply musical and personal level without being in the room together. Our shared hunger and desire to create music with the same intimacy and connection that is usually only found when artists gather together in a room, studio or stage was quite remarkable. Read more>>

Giana Delossantos

The most meaningful project I have ever worked on is my poetry book called “Sanctuary.” I’ve been working on it since Sophomore year of high school and even now while I’m in college. I’ve written poems about all of my feelings. The happiest I’ve been, the saddest I’ve been, vulnerable, being in love and falling out of love. Read more>>

Lisa Danaë

“STARLET” meant a lot to me. Early in my career, I allowed others to have a lot of say in the music I was making and how to sound. Once I let those people go, I put in a lot of inner work to try to find my voice again and ended up releasing a series of 7 singles. During that time of piecing those songs together, I was really coming into my own and on the path to self love. Read more>>

Elizabeth Regal

I feel my artistic entertainment journey has been an unexpected winding road of unforeseen decisions, obstacles, and life-transforming choices. Every projects I have worked has been a devout blessing, as most give up within the first year to two living in Los Angeles, It wasn’t until I was in Los Angeles for 20 years that I reflect back now and thank every producer, casting director, and director that has given me a job. All were deep learning experiences that transformed me from within. Read more>>

Gerry Rushe

We created a documentary mini series on becoming a wrestler featuring 2 Irish Wrestling Schools. Read more>>

Yelena York

As I started my creative journey, right from the start a very important key to keep in mind was what I will be sharing with the public, the connection I will create with my audience- how I want people to connect with me. Even If a single life is touched or inspired by my creations, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose. That’s true success to me. I am currently working on a series which is very other worldly, takes you into a realm beyond the ordinary and is energetically charged. Read more>>

Miriam Damaris

The past two years I started a very meaningful path in my career which impacted my life in a significant way. I decided to work as a Project Manager in PLPR with Arte Público Press and also being the founder of Colectiva Feminista Colibri after a few recognitions I feel more committed to the community. Both communities are very important to me: Houston and Puerto Rico. Read more>>

Aneta Sofronova

One of the most meaningful projects in my career was the creation of Nusha, my own fashion brand that places sustainability and ethical production at its core. Read more>>

Gauthier Raad

Embarking on the journey of creating fresh and innovative film festivals has been the most exhilarating experience in my life. My vision was to establish a haven where everyone could share their unique stories. Fast forward a few years, this space has evolved into a hub for fostering connections and enjoying memorable moments together. What it has turned into surpasses my wildest dreams… That’s the true magic of this endeavor! Read more>>

Lynae Davis

With my art, I hope to inspire people to educate themselves and learn more about the history of the wild horse. I recently painted a canvas for a mustang sanctuary in Arizona called Moksha Sanctuary, where they plan to use the canvas as art for their merchandise sales that go directly to helping wild horses rescued from the BLM round-ups. I am also in talks with more mustang sanctuaries to paint their favorite images of wild horses that will also go towards their merchandise that directly helps the wild horses. Read more>>

TOO $KINNY

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is the two mixtapes that I have coming soon. One is in English and the other is in Spanish. Music, with help of streaming, is becoming a lot more globally accessible. I feel like there has never been an artist that has done what I’m currently doing with all due respect. Some people say that what I’m doing is a niche but I disagree. Read more>>

Rebecca Bystrom

My most meaningful project(s) would be my children. That’s a whole different discussion with 6 womb fruits from ages 20 to two; life is in full technicolor and constantly working with the unexpected things that pop up. I find myself saying out-loud: Shift / Pivot / Wiggle to survive the chaotic days — or I turn my thoughts into creating funky art projects. Read more>>

Adriann Jenkins

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on and still work on to this day is our yearly studio showcases. These shows are all about giving our students the opportunity to perform on stage in front of a crowd! Having that stage exposure really help students who want to purse a performance career. Read more>>

Upasak Mukherjee

Some of my most beautiful musical moments have been in the New England Conservatory while being involved in week-long marathons of shows, workshops and collaborations with the Silk Road Ensemble. Tabla, Guzheng, Duduk, Pipa, Kamancheh, Oud, Tar, Sitar, Cello, Harp- These are some of the instruments that graced the stage in each performance. Read more>>

Philip Terry

Web3 is changing my line of work significantly so I recently dove down the rabbit hole that is AI and Blockchain technology. Taking my work onchain will allow my artists and I to take control of our music, establish ownership, and earn fair compensation for work. As AI becomes more prevalent in music creation, blockchain’s transparent and automated features can help protect artists’ rights, ensure fair royalties, and maintain the integrity of the music industry in the face of technological disruption. Read more>>

Joseph Franklin

For me the most meaningful film i have worked on. I would have to say would be my 4th indie film; “I, Surrender” I wrote/and directed this film after I had took a break from writing or putting out any projects. However, one day I was at my church and my pastor, at the time preach on this sermon titled “I, Surrender” and it hit me so hard that it stuck with me fore a few weeks. Read more>>

Lindsay St. Laurent

As an independent film director and the proud owner of Crooked Pine Motion Pictures, I am deeply passionate about bringing meaningful stories to life through the lens of diversity and creativity. For me, filmmaking is not just about entertainment; it’s a powerful platform for reflecting the richness and complexity of the human experience. Read more>>

NR Hunt

My project, ALMOST LIST EVERYTHING, is a meaningful project to me because it’s the story of how I lost things one after the other, from being T-boned in my new Tesla to my Beamer getting hit by a company vehicle in the parking lot to a traumatic altercation where I had been wronged and the response caused me to go to jail and pay 4,500 to get out and to be charged with a felony even though I was the person that was wronged. Read more>>

D_XTER FOREVER

The month was April, the year was 2023, when we (Dex and Dyl) curated, produced and put on their very own culture and arts festival featuring the debut live performance of D_XTER FOREVER. The event was a collaboration between D_XTER FOREVER and a group of artists and creatives nearest and dearest to our hearts. There was a painter, a tattoo artist, a coffee guru, a vegan burger master duo, and a super suave sunglasses designer and seller to boot. Read more>>

Linda Woods

I think symbolic art is a wonderful way to honor history and celebrate the lives of people who paved the way for you. To honor my grandparents, I created a collection of colorful Modern Judaic art. Read more>>

Soude Dadras

For many of us, our lives have been turned upside-down by the sudden public health emergency, but the fundamental human need to create remains intense, even if it is on pause for some of us momentarily. Read more>>