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.

Jay Aquarious

I have recently released a new EP, my fourth EP entitled ‘The Great Vine’. The reason why this project is important to me is because I dove more into myself to truly highlights my brand as an artist here. Everything within me is various and has magic, magic is power, a show of power is influence. Read more>>

Tyler Sansom

I directed a film called “I Can” that was true story about a girl named Katelyn Pavey who was born with one arm. She went on to become a college All-American softball player. This project was important to me because it was one of the only softball films ever made. Read more>>

Neel Erickson

My very first artist moniker – Harmonee – is definitely my most meaningful project. The idea first came to me when I was still working as a strategic consultant in the medical field. The work I was doing then was undeniably helpful, but it didn’t resonate with me and I found myself routinely escaping to music. Read more>>

Astra Pulamte

My most meaningful project thus far is my self-written and illustrated book called ‘The Spark Within,’ which I self-published on Amazon in January of 2024. This marks the first step post my graduation, as it originated as an assignment during my time as a student and was completed post-graduation. Read more>>

E’mon Lauren

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on would definitely be my podcast-turned-talkshow, The Real Hoodwives of Chicago, established 2018. The Real Hoodwives of Chicago, is a platform for femme/flks of color from Chicago/land area to talk love, sex, romance, and all forms of “ratcherty”. Read more>>

Adam Dapkus

Hard to narrow it down to just one being the most. I’ve been lucky enough to live many dreams as an artist. Started in grade school with performance arts after and unexpected injury playing soccer and the devastation with that that led me to drama class in high-school. Read more>>

JILL WHITE

I would have a different answer up until this past year, 2023 when I got the opportunity to move my office into an incredible 150-year-old church. The church had been vacant for 10 years and had fallen into disrepair. The last tenant was a local production company who had customized the space for their use. We wanted to do the same for our new studio. Read more>>

Rebekah Faubion

My debut novel THE LOVERS, has a very special place in my heart. Not only is it the first book I’ll publish under my real name, as a solo author, but it is also a deeply personal story that came from my own coming out journey. Read more>>

Jaime Barcelon

I view my journey stepping back into music in the last year as a meaningful project in itself. My journey as a creative began in music- this was the entry point into every facet of the arts that I’m involved with now. There was a time when, without meaning to, music took the backseat for years. Read more>>

Maik Maravilla

One of the most important projects I have done is collaboration with brands to create an illustration and a concept for a product or brand that already exists, which has been a great challenge. Read more>>

Kesley Bou

On July 31st, 2016 I thought all my dreams were coming true. I walked down the aisle and promised my life to a man that I believed truly loved me. I believed he wanted to not only do life with me, but truly LIVE and create a dream life with me. I was so in love. Read more>>

Tyler Ballgame

Starting the “Tyler Ballgame” project in 2023 has been such a life-affirming experience. I had been so discouraged releasing music to crickets back in Rhode Island. Wallowing in sad-boi nick drake cosplay and then never promoting or playing shows (of course it failed! Ha! Read more>>

Anne Gaffey

When I first realized that donating my art was a way to participate in fundraisers in a meaningful way, I found organizations and donated to their Gala events. When I began painting this was a big way I became involved in charity event. Read more>>

Teresa DeMitchell

A large part of my business is working on events that are meaningful to my clients. Celebrating special events, their friends, family, and all kinds of milestones. As a luxury picnic planner, not only do I get to showcases my creativity, I also get to play a small role in commemorating special moments in the lives of my clients. Read more>>

Erin Harper Vernon

One of the most meaningful projects is currently in my studio. It’s a form of social sculpture art with a developing design for a Community-Action Art Kit. This “kit” is a flat-file art case containing the original PDF file, templates, printables, and documentation to build an alternative art library through artist-led workshops with neighborhood non-profits or community centers. Read more>>

Dante Mitchell

A meaningful project for me involves being part of a team organizing a youth benefit concert series in my community. Throughout my life, I’ve been surrounded by examples of generosity, stemming from a family legacy of giving that my parents instilled in me early on, inspired by the teachings of their mothers. Read more>>

Jessica Johns

Early in my career as an artist, I was asked to work with an organization called Buzzy’s Bees on a project called Give Grief A Voice. The project works with families who have unexpectedly lost a child by helping them tell their family story. Read more>>

Tiffany Hines

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on was in collaboration with my dedicated team in New York. We passionately embarked on a mission to distribute vegan food and promote healthier lifestyles within our community. Read more>>

Mayah Dyson

The most impactful endeavor I’ve undertaken is the development of my R&B concert series, “It’s Happening.” This project was born out of collaboration with my business partner, Jandé, as both of us are independent artists with a shared passion for R&B music. Read more>>

Bailey Purvis

In January 2023, I started my own entertainment company and launched the group Honky Tonk Chicks — a country music tribute show featuring three women. What is Honky Tonk Chicks exactly? It is a fierce female vocal trio performing our versions of the greatest hits in Country Music. Read more>>

Meiying Wu

When I walked in San Francisco’s Chinatown in January 2020, I noticed tourism significantly dropped: Many assumed the virus had already arrived in the neighborhood due to its residents’ travel to China during the new year season. Read more>>

Jessixa Bagley

I’d say the most meaningful project I’ve worked so far has been my recent middle grade graphic novel, DUEL, that I wrote and my husband Aaron Bagley illustrated. It was my first foray into the middle grade world, which was a little intimidating at first, but I really found my own voice inside of the genre very quickly. I feel like it’s a very natural space for me to write in. Read more>>

Jana Haraty

As an actress Read more>>

Doc Hzarrill

After helping over 14,000 Cleveland youth write, record and perform their own songs that deal with the health disparities black and brown youth face, I have TONS of projects that have changed me along my journey. The most recent centers around a News Channel Five story about how homicides have risen in Cleveland. Read more>>

Meg Paxton

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my current building for my new businesses. Although I’ve done wedding, family, and pet photography by trade for the last 25 years, I also love creating other small businesses. I’m working on a stitchery right now. Read more>>

Elisabeth Duffy

Embarking on the journey of creating Occasionally Humans has been a deeply meaningful and transformative experience for me. The genesis of this musical venture dates back to early 2022 when the idea of a band exploring the profound nuances of the human experience started taking shape. Read more>>

Kiran Bhat

Landscape photography is a favorite type of photography for me. Capturing different landscapes helps me combine my desire to travel and do photography. The gear can be heavy at times and the nature is not always cooperative but when things line up just the right way, it’s an opportunity to capture something special! Read more>>

Warren Sawyers II

One of the most meaningful projects to me is the album that I just released January 5th titled Dinero. The reason is because it is the first album that I not only produced but wrote as well. Artist that are involved with my group Top Flight The Brand are also included as well. Read more>>

Tsebahat Fiseha

When I was in college, I was invited to a screening on campus by a friend. The movie was a documentary about the Armenian Genocide. This documentary inspired me to write a story. My college friends and I discussed having our own animation studio one day and remained in touch after graduation. Read more>>

Annosha Biggins

The most meaningful “project” I’ve worked on has been The Black Artists Dance Collective (TBADC), an Atlanta-based nonprofit, community arts organization that serves and mentors Atlanta’s black youth dancers. Read more>>

Vassilissa Gugia

I’ve been working on my hair curling project called Roll&Glow for almost five years now. It can be quite challenging at times, but I’m determined to finish it. Roll&Glow is an innovative way of curling hair using electronic hair rollers. These rollers have a ventilator inside that evenly dries every part of the hair. Read more>>

Amber Maalouf

I think for a long time I was missing this feeling of nostalgia in my work, a playfulness from my youth. It wasn’t nostalgia though, it was the desire to be an artist again and not a professional. Mutualism for All – an ongoing body of work brought me back to that creative space for myself. Read more>>

Damaris De los Santos

During the summer of 2022, I kept getting signs to start a podcast show. If I’m being honest, two people may have mentioned it, and I’ve learned that, apparently, I only need two people to suggest something to me for me to do it. In any case, I had never considered starting a podcast, and I had no idea where to start, but I was sure of one thing: I would do it with my sister as my co-host. Read more>>

Katie Simpson

I’m Katie, and I believe we’re strangers, but not really. I want to get close to the source, the magic that connects us as individuals and turns us into dreamers. I have been making music my whole life, and have been putting it out for three years. Read more>>

Andre’ Belton

One of the most influential projects I’m currently working on is also my most vulnerable to date. The series 7 Steps is a combination of paintings and poems that chronicle an emotional attachment to the principles of Peace, Love, Joy, Intimacy, Resources, Healing, and Wisdom. Read more>>

Chueh-Hui Huang

“Echoes of Kef Time” is the most meaningful project I’ve had the privilege to work on. It’s a documentary that explores the fading tradition of Armenian-American Kef music, following the journey of a 22-year-old grandson of an Armenian oud master as he endeavors to keep this tradition alive. Read more>>

Rebecca Wiser and Leah Wiser

It’s always exciting every time we launch a new site — and this one is especially close to our hearts. We had the honor of working with The Unbreakable Org, a nonprofit that supports communities that have been impacted by gun violence. Read more>>

Anna Goraczko

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on thus far is a photographic blueprint series that I am continuing to expand upon currently, “Sense of Belonging”. It is a collection of portraits of people in bigger bodies, and it began with my own self-discovery of my connection to nature. Read more>>

Martin R. McGowan

I’ve written and directed three projects since 2016, and the most meaningful has either been the first project, Abigail (2018), or my most recent project, Ava (2023). Read more>>

Joshua Stewart

During a rough season of my life late last year, I wrote another song talking about God’s love and how it is enough for us to journey through this life. I was able to collaborate with some amazing song writers, award-winning artist, Stermon and a dear friend, Nathaniel Gordon. Read more>>

Xiaopan Xue

It is very hard to pick the most meaningful project I’ve worked on because each project holds great significance for me. I know it sounds cheesy, but it is the damn truth! Read more>>

Katrina Ji

Snake – charmers, devotional singing, unusual instruments & ancient love songs… Rajasthani Caravan is a group of indigenous folk artists from Rajasthan, India. The group is curated by Katrina Ji, a member of the International Dance Council, CID – UNESCO and on the 4Culture Touring Artists Roster. Read more>>

Nathan Waire

I have done many meaningful projects like my books, Boy: A Story Based on True Events & The Zen Cookbook and Other Bizarre Screenplays, BUT the project that I am working on now has the most meaning so far. It is called HUMAN GAME The Series and is based on characters that I created over a decade ago. Read more>>

Keelay Moore

My most meaningful project would be my first stage play, “I Need Help”. I was venturing out into the entertainment industry with only a script and a dream. I didn’t know if people would come to support or see a play that I had written. Read more>>

Ieva Baltmiškytė

My most meaningful project to date has undoubtedly been the creation and performance of ‘Requiem for a Glacier.’ This composition was inspired by a profound experience during my participation in the Arctic Circle artist and scientist residency, where I sailed around the Svalbard archipelago on the tall ship Antigua. Read more>>