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.

Ms. Monét | The Monificent

I’ve always wanted to perform or do something within the arts. It’s what came natural. Growing up in a musical family, it was innate, that I’d end up as the “artist” that I am now. I guess you can say it was inevitable. Read more>>

Irene Neyman | Illustrator & Graphic Designer

It all began when I was 5 (the earliest memory I have). I was always passionate about drawing, but never considered it as a career path. I drew for fun and found inspiration from other artists. My friends and family admired my drawings, but nobody ever suggested it as a potential job. Years later, one day, I realized I wanted to change everything, and find what I loved. Read more>>

Sean Stanley | Photographer

For me it’s a very simple answer, I have a passion for capturing moments with my camera. There’s an attraction to being able to capture a moment in time and then being able to have something tangible to hang on my wall. Read more>>

Monika Mia | Composer, Producer & Songwriter

I decided to pursue a career in composition because of an innate need to interpret the world around me through art. I am obviously passionate about music… but a lot of my hobbies outside composition are also related to creativity – I love reading, visiting art galleries, theatre, and more recently, videogames. Composition for media fascinates me as a unique path where you can combine musicality and dramatic storytelling! Read more>>

Muhammad Bin Tahir Mir | Animation Technical Director

I’ve always been fascinated by story and animation. My siblings and I would watch ‘The Lion King’ literally several times a day as children. These viewings were followed by us enacting scenes from the film, drawing the many characters, reading the illustrated story book as a family—all that left a mark, to say the least. Drawing became a constant part of my life very early on. Read more>>

Tha Mighty Conqueror | Painter, Rapper, Producer

I pursued a creative path because it was the only thing I felt fit me. Read more>>