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.

Norman Edwards Jr | Musician, Bandleader & Educator

I was surrounded by the arts as a young child. My Father is a drummer with musical siblings and his Mom was a concert pianist.

My Mother and Grandmother always had music of different styles rocking during chores and my Grandfather had Miles Davis and John Coltrane on repeat. Read more>>

Eduardo Cordova | Photographer

I have never envisioned myself doing anything other than creating art. Some people in this world decided their careers at the age of 18; I remember being 10 years old and playing with my parents’ camera. I loved looking at old photos in family albums. From a very young age, I knew I had to be a photographer or filmmaker, but undoubtedly, I would be working behind the camera, telling stories. Besides, my greatest inspiration is cinema, as I mentioned before. Watching great artists like Emmanuel Lubezki or young film directors like Xavier Dolan work and connect with many people through powerful images led me to satisfy my need to be an artist.” Read more>>

Roysha Poellnitz | Singer-Songwriter Producer

I’ve never felt like I had a choice when it comes to being an artist. Part of me wishes I could just be happy with a more traditional like style but creating and pursuing art feels like something I must do in order to live. I breathe it, like air, whether I want to or not. Read more>>