Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

LEVY | Music Producer and DJ

Throughout my life, I’ve always had a strong connection to music. It has always brought me a sense of peace and presence in a world filled with so many distractions. It wasn’t until I attended my first music festival the summer after I graduated high school, that led me to discover the beauty that is house music. I was 18, filled with all kinds of curiosities, and felt a strong connection to the underground house music scene. It had felt as if the bass reached out from the speakers and gave me a warm hug letting me know I was in the right place. Read more>>

Koast Jiggy | Rapper/ Songwriter

When i was younger being 1 of 5 kids at home i always felt like i was the least heard not just at home but in school as well music was my way of being heard Read more>>

RaShad Arnold | Professional Actor and Model

We don’t have a lot of time, but I love the quote “Cinema inspires us to dream and dreams inspire us to work hard and achieve. ” To me there is a thrill of preparing for a role or photo shoot. Then show casing it to the world. Most likely I will probably not become a doctor, lawyer, gangster, scientist and so on, but preparing for those roles and seeing what that life and profession could be like is exciting to prepare for, then show case for the people to watch. Read more>>

Tessa Elisabeth | Creator of MoonSluice

I love this question, and I find it especially important when in need of the motivation to push through some of the more difficult tasks that come with building your own business. I’ve been labeled “artistic” and “creative” by others pretty much my whole life. As far back as I can remember I’ve just had this incessant restlessness in my soul, and I found outlets for it in any type of craft or creative activity I could get my hands on. I use to have (and still do honestly haha) notebooks filled with stories, songs, drawings, fashion lines, and all sorts of entrepreneurial endeavors that I would one day complete and share with the world. I’m a dreamer, all day. Read more>>