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.

Lei Chen

my thesis is an experimental animation short that examines family, connection, and freedom with frenetic lines and vivid colors. In a family that raises pigeons for sport and consumption, each generation holds a different feeling towards the birds that surround them. Read more>>

Jerahn Thomas

The project that I hold nearest and dearest to my heart right now is my EP entitled “From A Blank Canvas.” This musical body of work was in the works for about 7 years. The first song that I wrote for it was the EP entitled song FROM A BLANK CANVAS ft. Jonathan Rashun which was back in 2015. Read more>>

Justin Best

For me, the most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far was the creation of my first feature film, SHERYL, because we made a feature film our way, when so many other people said it was impossible. Read more>>

Julia Haltigan

I feel lucky to have been a part of many interesting projects over the years and each one has held great meaning to me. My main form of expression has always been music and it’s a constant flow of self exploration. However, I find myself looking to projects outside of my usual work for chances to explore and try new things. Read more>>

Maria Camia

Last year, I was part of La MaMa’s Puppet Festival in November for the world premiere of my newest spiritual/sci-fi musical called “The Healing Shipment.” During the pandemic and even now, I am overwhelemed with the news and wrote this story to make space for the reality I desire. Read more>>

Rachael Pixie Kruczynski

My current band, The Last Survivors. I am so proud of what we have done — and how much we have grown since day one. We all have a deep bond and friendship – I would take a bullet for Steve, Brian, or Matt, and they make the magic happen (and put up with my endless streams of words). Read more>>

J. Martin Strangeweather

In 2020, the initial year of the pandemic, I organized a yearlong citywide “poetry in quarantine” project in Santa Ana, California. The project was called “Santa Ana, a Year in Poetry.” The project featured the work of 52 local poets over the course of 52 weeks, showcasing their poems on various literary websites, local news outlets, and the Santa Ana Public Library, in addition to paying each poet a $25 honorarium. Read more>>

Senaida Ng

In 2023, I founded a Brooklyn-based artist collective and techno art party called WE ARE THE FUTURE!, which brings together underground interdisciplinary artists and DJs for a co-creative art-sharing experience. The project was born out of a need for spaces where members of our community could come together and share projects they’ve been working on. Read more>>

Tony Abatemarco

As blessings go, I’ve had my share of substantially meaningful projects throughout my career. One thing I’d like to share about that claim is that so many of them were either presented to me despite my initial uncertainty about doing that one job, or my low expectations throughout. Read more>>

Allison Tate

As of now, I would have to say that “Big Boys”, my feature film debut as a lead producer, has been the most meaningful project that I have worked on so far because it has connected deeply with audiences across the globe during the film festival run and is poised to make a big impact upon wide release. Read more>>

Felix Agosto

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my Electric Crutch Guitar. Named after my great-grandmother, Izetter, it exemplifies my love for found sculpture, physics, and rock music. I built the first version of a guitar for an engineering class in highschool when my great-grandmother, who was 109, passed away. Read more>>

Chohyun Kim

Before opening my eyes to the world of interior design, my initial impression was simply selecting beautiful furniture sets and appropriate materials. However, working on school projects, I gained a profound understanding of how crucial it is for interior designers to create user-friendly spaces, taking into consideration convenience, circulation, and considerations for individuals with disabilities. Read more>>

Preston Crowder

I began my MFA program for Playwriting in the Fall of 2019 in New York City. Part of going into this program meant leaving a playwriting program I had entered prior. The program, Tennessee Playwrights Studio, is a Nashville based theater and playwriting program that helps give emerging playwrights the opportunity to workshop and present their work. Read more>>

Kelly Anderson

Im passionate about a lot of things, people, places and things, But one project in particular that i was most passionate about is my clear stand up paddle board business. Stand up paddleboarding started in hawaii and I have lived there for 12 years in lahaina. Read more>>

Jacob Kleinman Phillips

When you have the opportunity to bring to life an idea and help shape it into something that has the power to move mountains with making a difference, then you have a deep meaningful work of art. That’s the case with a client of mine, Game On State. They are an arcade and sweet shop located in the heart of Media, PA. Read more>>

Leo Sandoval

I just released a new music video. More are to come. Read more>>

Priya Bhavaani

I’m really grateful for all the projects I’ve worked on so far, especially since they’ve highlighted important topics, such as mental health, cultural pressure, racism, or climate change. A film I did called “Nectarines” was one of the most meaningful projects I’ve been a part of. Read more>>

Sarah Schneiderman

I was raised by parents who were both passionate about making life better, not only for their children but for others as well. My father testified for the rights of Vietnam veterans and residents of places like Woburn and Love Canal, who were all poisoned by the negligent actions of corporations or the government. Read more>>

Morgan Nofsinger

The most meaningful project I’ve been a part of is without question my first album I’m about to drop this week. I’ve realized recently why they call it that…‘releasing music”. It truly feels like I’m releasing all of the pent up energy and creativity that’s been brewing for so long. Read more>>

Shannon Maldonado

This Summer I achieved a lifelong dream of launching a boutique hotel inspired by my brand YOWIE. When I started working in design after college I started to travel for work. It was something that was new to me as growing up my family didn’t travel very often. Read more>>

Alex Nuelle

I host and produce “Post-Mortar,” a series on YouTube that delves into retail history. Notable companies I’ve covered have been Ames, Blockbuster Video, KB Toys, Woolworth, Sam Goody, CompUSA — and even some lesser-known chains such as Sound Warehouse, Caldor, and Famous-Barr. Read more>>

Xiangjie Rebecca Wu

I’m making figurative paintings for the momentary mourning of the loss. Painting memories becomes a way to understand the past as well as discover myself in the present. By incorporating Chinese southern Yangtze River traits into paintings, I create an intriguing space that is both part of and separate from the world. Read more>>

Benjamin Brindise

Rotten Kid, published by Ghost City Press in 2017, was my first chapbook. It’s a hybrid book comprised of poetry, flash fiction, and short fiction. I have never been a writer who easily settled into one form. My freshman year, a professor hit us with the Neil Postman classic, “the medium is the metaphor”. Read more>>

Melanie Reese

I try to see every project I work on as meaningful in some way. If I’m not learning from each experience I have, what’s the point? Artistically, one of my most meaninngful projects was making a web series that I co-created with a group of friends. We then produced and made the entire first season in a year. It was so special because it was ours through and through. Read more>>

Alfred Price

Currently I am developing my short film, Leave Me Here, which is about a man in his mid-thirties who struggles to deal with the recent loss of a parent and decides to take his overbearing father on a road trip to the site of Woodstock, where they learn to find peace with each other and within themselves. Read more>>

Armani Baker

When I was a young girl, I dreamed big. I always knew that the impossible, was possible. I was very involved with extracurricular activities outside of school. I balanced the debate team, acting classes, and dance while maintaining good grades. In all of these spaces, I found myself always looking for a mentor that looked like me. Read more>>

Vera Myers

My husband and I are currently producing our own show called “Post and Ghost” about a team of assassins that go viral making “killer” content. The show is a dark comedy action thriller and we write, shoot, act and direct plus do all the post production ourselves each week in order to drop a fresh new episode every Sunday on our Youtube channel @postandghosttv. Read more>>

M. Lorin

I completed a series last year that broke the ice of a years-long painter’s block. Titled “Self-Care Fae” the five-part series celebrates Black women as magical creatures, enjoying daily acts of wellness. The images invoke figures of lore (like angels, fairies and elves!) as avatars for the expression of self-love and gratitude. Read more>>

Sara Molano

At the age of 8, witnessing my aunt’s battle with breast cancer, marked the beginning of my artistic journey. Her mastectomy and the harsh chemotherapy inspired me to paint women with one or both breasts exposed. Over the years, this theme has evolved, and today, I create murals and lead Street Art Tours, using my art to raise awareness about breast cancer. Read more>>

Yani Arabena

I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I also studied Graphic Design and Type design. In 2007 (and for 7 years), I had the opportunity to teach Typography at the University of Buenos Aires (FADU). There I met Guille Vizzari, today my partner at work and in life, with whom we started a non-commercial but very significant project that allowed us to get to know each other and became our first work together as a creative duo. Read more>>

Juliana Stankiewicz

As a conceptual artist, the meaning in my work has always come before the execution. I have something to say and I express it through the most appropriate art form. My last large completed body of work, Modern Woman, told the story of my experiences as a woman in America, specifically focusing on the idea that women should ‘keep up appearances’, even when the situation doesn’t call for it. Read more>>

Kanita Glover

I attract people who are preparing for the most important days of their lives. These amazing clients are planning to take care of the most important people in their lives as well. When I take a moment to be present I am so honored and grateful to be trusted with the responsibility of creating moments to remember. Read more>>

Shawn Maravel

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my upcoming release Healing in the Heartland (coming March 3rd). It’s meaningful for a lot of reasons actually. Firstly, it’s a story about a military veteran who struggles with the scars war leaves that can’t be seen. As a military spouse I’ve come to know many service members over the years and I respect what they do so much. Read more>>

Nick Dionisio

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my latest short film, PK. Presenting authentic faith-based Christian stories is rare in film and television. Most of Christian media aims to solely proselytize their audiences over telling a compelling story, and paint a black-and-white depiction of secular versus religious living. Read more>>

Johnny Legnard

The is a tie. The most meaningful project to date has to be one of my latest short films, “What comes”, a story about living in the dark. It was my first short film under our new production “there’s a wolf”, where we aim to tell dark fantasy dramas. Read more>>

April Fulstone

In the summer of 2014, I entered a conversation with Regina Martinez (a sound artist and dear friend now based in Chicago) and Angelina Fasano (a fiber artist and dear friend who is now based in Brussels, Belgium) which organically became an event series called the clothesline. Read more>>

Donna Caselden

I tend to work in series, as many artists do. But many times, my techniques vary widely. I’ve been known to splatter paint when the mood strikes, making a totally abstract painting. I Other times I’m drawn to figurative work, enjoying the details necessary to accomplish this. Read more>>

Juel Anthony

I want to share the backstory behind my first project and album titled “5:44” referencing the Bible verse Matthew 5:44 “Love your enemies and pray for the ones who persecute you.” Not too long ago I was saved and decided fully trust God with my life. I felt like it was time to put out a project about his love. Read more>>

Sparkle Shabazz

Creating a meaningful project as a music artist and creative can be a deeply rewarding yet challenging experience. It involves a combination of artistic expression and dedication. I always have a vision of what I want to do before I work and I always want to create something authentic to who I am while still making it relatable for others and creating music that others can enjoy as well. Read more>>

Lizzy Polanco

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was surprising a young girl named Lily with a makeover. It has been the most meaningful and memorable project for me because she is battling brain cancer yet she is so full of life and she is so knowledgeable in makeup too! Read more>>

Se Young Yim

Every project was meaningful to me, but there are two significant projects in 2023. One was a solo showcase and open studio in Berlin. I was selected by GlogauAIR in Germany. It is a non-profit art space and selects 13 artists for the residency program through the open call. Read more>>

Qingru Yang

I hope that drawing can become a way to express my emotions. For instance, one of my projects is about emotional venting. When I work on subjects that I am not good at or simply not interested in, I am often dissatisfied with the results, which causes me to lose motivation to draw and even become irritable. Read more>>

SA Brown

Wow! I have got some beautiful projects but the most meaningful project is At This Time. It’s a short film that is probably the most autobiographical piece I’ve done. In 2018, I wrote a short film called Those Left Behind. I wanted to produce but it was so personal. Read more>>