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.

Alejandro Paredes

I pursued an artistic career because it was never really a choice, it was a calling. Ever since I was a kid, music and storytelling were the ways I made sense of the world. I wrote my first song when I was twelve, and I haven’t stopped since. Art gave me a voice before I even fully understood who I was. Read More>>

ALX SPINS

I’ve always been passionate about music and the arts — it’s something that truly runs in my blood. My mother was an incredible singer and also played the sitar, a beautiful Indian string instrument, and my uncle was one of the biggest movie stars in Bollywood. So in many ways, choosing an artistic path felt natural to me. DJing, however, was something I actually stumbled into during the early ’90s, and from that moment on, I was hooked. It’s been an amazing journey, and to this day, I’m still pursuing my passion and finding new ways to express it. Read More>>

Brittany

Creating has always been something that brings me so much joy. I’ve loved the arts for as long as I can remember—it’s a part of who I am. Photography and art have become more than just hobbies or work for me; they’ve turned into ways I connect with people, work through emotions, tell stories, and hopefully make a small difference in someone’s life. Read More>>

Darian Patwal

I have been documenting my whole life through photos and videos ever since I got a phone. I love to use my content as a “time capsule” per se and give my future self something to look back on. I love that I am able to put my creations out into the world and leave my mark. On a personal level, my grandpa suffered from Alzheimer’s and losing my precious memories is my biggest fear. This career gives me a way to document the things I love doing and people that I love in a way that I can look back on in the future. Read More>>