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.

A.B. Raps | Artist & Songwriter

It really wasn’t a choice, it became an expensive hobby at first and transitioned into a lot of great opportunities. Music was always something that i loved so it feels amazing to get any kind of payment or recognition for the music that i create. Read more>>

Kayla Payne | Tattooer, artist, and model

I’ve drawn and painted since I was a kid and have always been passionate about art. I’ve tried working office jobs and doing tattooing or painting on the side but I would always wish I was at home creating when I was at my day job until I finally made the decision to do it full time. Read more>>

Jessica Garcia | Audio engineer and photographer

Always loved music and photography. I would always listen to my parent’s vinyls and 8 tracks . Growing up in the 90’s there was a wide variety of music and concerts . I was in garage bands and always in talent shows throughout middle school and high school. I was not very good in being organized in a band but I always wanted to pursue music as a career. Had the flair for photography to because looking at the back of an album or cds of the bands was really awesome and it made listening to an music better that was my vision. Read more>>

Ren Hall | Professional Dancer, Musician /Composer & Choreographer

For me I have always had some sort of art in my life, From the start I have been surrounded by it. From growing up in the black church, to family gatherings, the influence of art has always been there. So as a kid, when I found out there was a way to do this for a living I was all for it. Now I didn’t know how hard it would be. Read more>>

Sandeep Sulhan | DJ/MC/Music Producer/Radio Host

Since childhood, music has been everything to me. I live and breathe music. In high school when I got into music (originally starting as a dhol player) it changed my life. Being bullied growing up, lack of self esteem, confidence, once I got into music, it changed the game for me and how people looked at me. After becoming a dhol player and retiring from it about 12 years ago, I am now a full time DJ, Music Producer, MC, and Radio Host. Read more>>