Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Isahar Mendez

I pursued a career in the arts because of how deeply mariachi music impacted me as a high school student. During some of the darkest times in my life, being part of a mariachi group taught me camaraderie, passion, cultural pride, and discipline. It also opened my eyes to systemic injustices in music education. Read More>>

Cate Dolphin

In a way, pursuing an artistic career felt like an obvious choice for me. I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a kid, but I continued to explore other facets as I grew up. I was interested in subjects including writing, science, and music. I didn’t expect to go to school for visual art.  Read More>>

Charlie Stevenson

Creativity has always been a part of who I am as a person; it’s the way I connect, communicate, and interact with the world. Creativity is an aspect of myself that I take with me into every part of my life, especially my career. Read More>>

 Justin Squier

I have always loved art and working with my hands. When I was younger I tried other crafts that seemed more practical for making a living, things such as mechanics and the trades. While these may have been a more traditional path and certainly have their own joys, they never scrached that itch in my soul like art did. Read More>>

David S. Kim

I’m interested in too many things – history, music, technology, and much more – and film lets me explore all of them. It’s the only career where I feel most like myself, and it has taught me more than any single person or book ever could. Read More>>