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.

Natalia Ormeño

I think what makes projects meaningful to me is being able to work with people and to connect with them, and to hopefully gain their trust and empower them. A project that holds a special place, would be my first monograph “Enlaces”, and it all started with an invitation to Marilu’s home in Cajamarca, Peru. She was my nana, the person who was in charge of looking after me during my childhood. Read more>>

Kendall Marie Allard

In 2021, I had the opportunity to work with several models and dear friends in collaboration for my show “All of Me” presented at the CË Gallery in Nashville, TN. The exhibit was inspired by the shared experience of living in a female body, and was deeply rooted in my own healing from sexual assault. Read more>>

Can Derman

The most meaningful project in my career as an architectural designer was my proposal for USC’s Center for Social Justice. The project presented a compelling challenge—a mixed-use office building with the unique requirement of dedicating 2/3rds of the site to an open-air plaza space. Situated off Crenshaw Blvd. in Inglewood, CA, an historically underserved area in Los Angeles, this project held a special significance for me. Read more>>

Wendy Wilkins

I would have to say the most meaningful would be the feature film Death on the Border. I wrote, directed and by default produced this movie that initially I wrote with the idea to play the lead role. This movie is inspired by true events from when I was a young cop in Melbourne, Australia and shines a light on domestic violence and trafficking of children ( the fastest growing crime in the world). Read more>>

MIXAURINA

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve had the privilege of working on this year was curating two women empowerment events, the Galentines Gala and What’s Tea?. These events were not just gatherings but vibrant celebrations designed to inspire, empower, and connect women in the Atlanta Metro Area. Read more>>

Charli Funk

The most meaningful project that I’ve been a part of is the IXL Edagiago project, which is my own personal project of love being inspired by love, and the things that I see that others are loving and inspired by and that they love to do and put energy behind. Read more>>

Hugh Kirby

It’s actually a project I’m in the midst of now about artists as entertainers. I’ve explored many art forms over the years, placing myself in situations where I’m at the mercy of an audience. I’m intrigued by what compels people to perform for others and I want to tell their stories, and my own, through photography. Read more>>

Allison Michael Orenstein

This is a documentary project to highlight the legacy of the lesbian community of Cherry Grove, which the anthropologist Esther Newton called, “America’s first gay and lesbian town.” These portraits were photographed in Cherry Grove, Fire Island, New York during the summers of 2020-2023. The idea started as socially distanced portraits photographed outdoors as Covid-19 was a major concern. Gradually I was able to go indoors and develop environmental portraits inside women’s homes. Read more>>

Celina Igwe

The most meaningful project I worked on so far, is a short film I wrote and directed called, “Noctiluca”. After watching a documentary about a young boy in California being heavily abused, falling through every crack in our American “protective” systems, and ultimately killed by his mother I was outraged to say the least. Read more>>

Cody Vance

The most meaningful project I’ve had the honor of creating began in 2008 while still on active duty, stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. There, I managed a 15-member Medical Multimedia Team whose mission was to support the Graduate Medical Education program for the Office of the Surgeon General of the Air Force by providing forensic photography, videography and illustrations for 350+ residents annually in support of their formal training and research. Read more>>

Lily Malm

“Scent of Marigold” is a deeply personal screenplay inspired by true events. Set during the “Zero Tolerance Policy” in 2018, the feature is centered around a Mexican immigrant turned border guard who becomes torn between her Americanization and the unexpected bond she forms with a child separated from her father at the height of the border crisis. Read more>>

Abril Rodriguez Villanueva

Creating monumental altars is a profoundly meaningful project as it provides a space for me to channel my grief over the loss of my beloved grandmother, while also offering a healing environment for others to do the same. This endeavor will serve as a space where we can come together as a community, finding comfort and solace in each other’s company as we navigate the complex emotions that accompany such a profound loss. Read more>>

Leigh Salgado

The beauty of being an artist is the opportunity to make work that is profoundly meaningful to me, the maker. I translate my ponderings and experiences of existence on this planet into objects in the visual realm. A few years back, I had the privilege of creating art for the Thomas Bradley International Terminal at LAX through the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Read more>>

Seth Collier

Every project I do has its own special, unique place. Anytime I get to choreograph and perform together is super special and enriches the process. I also love when I get to reconnect with creatives I’ve already worked with and we get to expand on our ideas further. Read more>>

Zair Montes

I had been a working actress in Latin America for a while before I had the opportunity to produce my first feature film in Havana, Cuba in 2015. The movie “Habana Instant” with which we won Montreal International Film Festival, the Ecumenical Prize and was also official selection at New Orleans International Film Festival among others, taught me everything I didn’t know about producing. Read more>>

Bari-Lynn Friedlander

I’ve had the privilege of contributing to some profoundly impactful projects, focusing on crucial themes such as mental health awareness, promoting equality and LGBTQ+ rights, and more recently, initiatives related to Israel. Experiencing the transformative power of my art and craft in making a positive difference has been nothing short of extraordinary. Read more>>

Dweezil Zappa

I’ve done a lot of meaningful projects in my life. I tend to follow my interests and learn new skills as often as I can. That can vary from exploring guitar techniques, to cooking, to golf, to music production and audio engineering. Read more>>

Mary Ann Morrison

I feel like my discussion actually covers being misunderstood and unexpected issues as well. Read more>>

Carol Oldenburg

There have been many meaningful projects throughout my career but the ones I like best are the ones that challenge me to learn something new. The ones that keep me up at night figuring things out. I am known for portraits and oil landscapes with atmospheric skies but I love experimenting in new materials for our classes. Read more>>

Jingyao Huang

In recent years, I am focusing on a project which transcends the traditional boundaries of photography, materials, and even the language of the medium. Drawing inspiration from the history of photography, tracing its origins back to the camera obscura and the way painters used it to depict landscapes, I feel compelled to challenge the conventional practices of this art form and explore new possibilities. Read more>>

Greg Lawson

The pursuit of being g an independent naturalist/visual artist has taken me to fifty states and seven continents, These lifelong travels have certainly fulfilled a childhood dream for global visitation, but more than that, have introduced an understanding of the common realities shared in the human family. Read more>>

Amanda Hudes

I had the privilege of being the Wedding Planner for Wish Upon A Wedding, creating a Vow Renewal for a family with someone who had terminal cancer. The look in his eyes when he walked into the reception space after the emotional ceremony was one I will never forget. One of my favorite parts of being an Event Planner is witnessing people’s faces during this moment, but seeing and feeling their emotion, and later hearing his appreciation during the Thank You speech, was truly beautiful. Read more>>

Maya French

One project comes to mind is our Welcome Here storytelling, music, and art installation toured throughout Maine in 2022. The project wove together the personal and community stories of cultural and climate heritage and resiliency across three Maine communities; through the lens of three Matriarchs and other guest artists of Wabanaki, Congolese and Puerto Rican heritage. Read more>>

Todd M. Felderstein

These days WAY OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR is what keeps me very busy. This is the live stage adaption of Dan Millman’s hit book first published in 1980 which today has many millions of devoted fans all over the world. As it was made into a feature film in 2006 with Nick Nolte and Scott Mechlowicz as the now legendary “Socrates” and “Dan,” re-imagining it for a live audience continues to be an amazing and daunting thrill. Read more>>

Susan Hostetler

The artists I know are always working, always making, always looking at the world around them, at the museum and gallery shows, at each others’ studios. We all make art even without a prospect for a sale. Every sale, no matter to whom, no matter how large or small, is important to me. I like to know that my art will bring lasting joy and curiosity to whomever buys it. Read more>>

Elaine Grohman

I have been an artist most of my Life, with calligraphy and design my primary focus for well over 45 years. Yes, I could draw and paint, but never felt particularly accomplished in realism. So, I focused on my strengths. That is until one year ago when all of that changed. Read more>>

Corey Lehman

I’ve worked on many meaningful productions over the years projects like “Kraft Minded, Harvey There Yet?, and The Clark Jones Story. The thing that separates my latest project ” Corey’s Big Picture Show” from the rest is it is my self through images in the most authentic way and it is also interesting technologically. Read more>>

Julia Hatfield

It’s become some what of a tradition for me to add a cover song amongst my originals on full length projects as a way of honoring those who have inspired me. Tom Petty is one of my all time favorite artists and my EP “Halfway Here” featured a cover of “I Won’t Back Down”. Read more>>

Kim Kenner

In our work with domestic violence victims, the mindfulness journey through the arts has proven to be profoundly impactful. Engaging in artistic expression within a mindful framework has provided these resilient women with a powerful coping tool. Read more>>

 

Nalisha Rangel

Everyone breathes, but most of us don’t connect with our breath in a way that provides long-lasting, beneficial effects. For years I thought I was breathing sufficiently. It wasn’t until after I was introduced to parasympathetic breath-work that I felt a tremendous shift in my ability to utilize my lung capacity in a way that impacted my art. Subsequently, I am able to mitigate my stress levels, sleep better and relax my body during hours of drawing and painting. Read more>>

Ashley Marie

After experiencing loss and grief, I began asking “why” and searching for answers and signs. My art style vastly changed throughout this experience, as I felt I could no longer paint in the way I previously had. I wanted to create work that held meaning and significance, and not just for aesthetic and expression. Read more>>

Kimberly Reed-Deemer

The most meaningful and personal project I’ve devoted myself to is my IRON TRIBE oil or gouache series depicting the metal sculptors of New Mexico Highlands University’s art foundry. My interest in and passion for painting the sculptors of NMHU’s art foundry began after I attended one of the art department’s Iron Tribe Conferences, Read more>>

Tristan Peach

Its the little ones that save you. I was 7 years deep into my L.A. journey with really nothing to show for it except a hardened exterior and too many frustrations to count. Happenstance and nightlife had recently aligned to help me meet the friend and confidant that would save my artistic life at the time. Read more>>

Qin Shen

One of my latest works called Nest is my new exploration of mixed media, in which I combined microscopic imaging, papermaking, and UV printing together to deliver the final visual presentation. It’s a mixture of the technological world and the nature. Read more>>

Rory Ross

I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work on some really cool projects, such as Linkin Park’s music video ‘Heavy’ and portraying Chris McCandless on Travel Channel’s ‘Off The Map,’ among others. However, the one that meant the most to me was working on Star Wars and becoming the Mandalorian Covert Commander in Mandalorian Season 3. I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work on some really cool projects, such as Linkin Park’s music video ‘Heavy’ and portraying Chris McCandless on Travel Channel’s ‘Off The Map,’ among others. However, the one that meant the most to me was working on Star Wars and becoming the Mandalorian Covert Commander in Mandalorian Season 3. Read more>>

Pxrks

Almost all of them. In my opinion a project becomes meaningful the second you vibe with it or the second a vocalist or another producer are vibing to it. That’s why I love creating. To bring emotion to people in different and creative ways. Because sometimes its hard to express how you feel and I feel like music helps people break those chains that certain emotions can sometimes hold you down. Read more>>

Catriona Fray

CATRIONA FRAY is an artist, teacher, and one of the co-creators and producers of Homegrown Recording & Collective. Homegrown Collective is an independent LA-based artist collective with a passion to share love and provide a creative and accepting space for artists. Read more>>

Lui Oto

I’ve got this new project coming up called blue that I’ve been working on. Putting a lot of raw emotion and pain into it while still trying to maintain the proper sound ya know. This is like my magnum opus of emotional music for me in my career. Read more>>

Nebulous Quartet

As string players, nothing has been more meaningful to our development than working on our debut album. The journey of the Nebulous Quartet has been profoundly shaped by the opportunity we received from the City of Boston’s Opportunity Fund in 2022. Read more>>

Kirsten Izer

One of the most meaningful projects I worked on was very recently. I was gearing up to release a new song and video and it had been a while since my last release, so I wanted it to feel like a big moment—like the start of a new era. So, in an effort to build that buzz, my manager and I planned a release party. Two days after the song came out, we invited all of our friends to a small photography studio in Los Angeles to celebrate the release. Read more>>

Aimee VanGelder

I don’t have a single project that I have worked on that is most meaningful. There are many girls & women that I have photographed, where the experience & the portraits created made them feel seen & beautiful & boosted their confidence. Read more>>

Mark Bade

I wrote a novel called Glorify The Girl (Available on Amazon) and decided to write/direct/self-finance a sequel in Pilot/Film format. Production started in 2019 and I have 20% left to complete with my incredible team. The project is about a writer’s stolen book and what awaits in dimensions from beyond. Read more>>

Radhaa Nilia

 

Every project at Radhaa Publishing House is meaningful. Within the intricate tapestry of my life, each collaborative book project and solo endeavor occupies a sacred space, representing not just projects but a chapter of importance. Read more>>

Arianna Jones

I believe that one of the most important things in life is taking the time to explore and discover your passion. What is it that you love to do more than anything else? When you are truly passionate about something you feel a special sense of connection to it. Read more>>

Minghang Du

The most meaningful project I’ve had the privilege to work on involves empowering small businesses in New York City through brand design and redesign. The backdrop for this initiative is rooted in the challenges faced by local enterprises in a bustling and competitive metropolis like NYC. Read more>>

Alyssa Bell

I have been blogging for over a decade now, but I have always wanted to write a book. A couple of years ago I finally got serious and began working on an editorial style coffee table book. I spent months perfecting the layout in inDesign, selecting which stories to share, and filling the spaces with my graphics and photography. It was essentially my love letter to the world through the medium of all my creative pursuit. Read more>>

Brandy Hurst

I only have a couple of projects under my belt, but my very first project is definitely the most meaningful thus far. When my youngest granddaughter, Everleigh, turned one, I wanted to get her a book about all the changes and growth she had made during that first year. Read more>>

Enya-Kalia Jordan

Currently, I am working on my dissertation entitled ” Ebonic Bodies in Motion: Discerning the Metaphysical Emergence of African American Vernacular Embodiment.” The works centers Black women in Brooklyn, their knowledge systems, and African American Vernacular English (AAVE) across disciplines. Read more>>

Tony Hale

The entire purpose of In The Doghouse Music is to open stages for musicians, and to get the word out about artists that folks may not know about. Read more>>

Millie Ahearn

In the summer of 2021, I recorded my debut album ‘Octagyn’ in London. The album is a distillation of the thoughts and feelings of a neurodivergent queer musician navigating extended isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more>>

Kristin Camfferman

Like a lot of other photographers, I first picked up my camera when my children were little. As I watched them through the lens of my camera, I developed a desire to capture the little moments that we often pass over as life gets busy.Read more>>

Amanda Krische

I feel lucky that this is such a difficult question to answer. A life of dancing affords so many meaningful opportunities: connecting people to movement through workshops, developing interdisciplinary and intercultural conversations with other artists, and continuing to imagine new possibilities and creative infrastructures with my many brilliant colleagues in the field are among the daily diet. Read more>>

Maddye Trew

I’ve held onto this one particular song that we’ve decided to release as my first single of 2024; it’s called “Your Song.” It’s always been a favorite of my fans, friends, and family…and it means the most to me for so many reasons. Read more>>

Geeta DnB Magnets

So as you know from our Youtube Channel : DnB Magnets Link- https://www.youtube.com/dnbmagnets ; we try to tackle the different topics or current issues. There are actually few of our videos : Read more>>

Mig Silva-Leon

While working on music to be released as singles can be really fun and fulfilling, getting to work on a long-form project like an album is really something else. For a year (or more) my life will just revolve entirely around the writing and recording and mixing of an album, and it can be extremely exhausting to work on 10-12 songs at a time. Read more>>

Maureen C. Berry

My first solo art exhibition greatly impacted my growth as an artist, but its significance meant more than creating a large body of work. In the summer of 2022, I booked an African safari for Feb. 2023 with an acquaintance who managed a travel agency. This was my first trip to Africa and the first wildlife safari. Read more>>

Yen Yu Lien

I began my ceramics journey during the early days of the pandemic with a simple goal – to create a teapot set! Chinese tea culture has been a part of my life since childhood, and teapots are my parents’ favorite treasure during their travels. Crafting a teapot set became my goal as a gift for my parents when the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hit the world. Read more>>

Verbal McMahon

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is “The New York Renaissance: Act I”. The album was created during the covid pandemic in 2020, and all the beats were produced by my good friend & longtime collaborator Lord Zookie. I grew up right in the middle of a significant shift in eras, music, and overall culture in both HipHop & my hometown of New York City. Read more>>

Cooper Olson

I made “Courage”, my first album as Decade House, at a really hectic time in my life. I moved from Wisconsin to Los Angeles in 2020 to pursue a career in filmmaking. For years I had used music production as a means to stay creative in-between film projects. Read more>>

Kate and Katy Rhamey

Hands down, our most meaningful project was Motherhood Maternity’s “You Do You, Mama” campaign, which won the national gold Addy for Best Campaign and Entertainment. Their in-house team hired us to write, create, and produce all content, with the goal of forming engaging narratives that celebrate the complex history of breastfeeding. Read more>>

Alan Nathanson

My new EP Winds of Fate is Co-Produced with Marty Rifkin who has Gold and platinum records with Tom Petty, Jewell, Bruce Springsteen, Weird Al Yankovic and more. All monies from streaming,go to World Central Kitchen which provides food and shelter in war torn areas like Ukraine.  Read more>>

Mark Michaels

Writer/Director for my first western; JOE CRIST JOE CRIST represents a significant milestone in my directorial journey.- I have always had a deep-seated desire to create a film with a ‘Higher Purpose’, and this aspiration comes to fruition with this latest project. Read more>>