Creative Freedom highlights artwork created by participants in the Creatives Rebuild New York Guaranteed Income for Artists program, which provided $1,000 per month for 18 months to support financial stability and creative expression. This collection reflects how economic security can expand artistic freedom, amplify voices, and foster meaningful cultural contributions.
Explore the Creative Freedom book—a curated compilation of participant artwork and stories—available as a free ebook, with print-on-demand copies offered at cost.
“Saudade” — Juliana Silva, performer/playwright
Everything (Affirmations)
“In tandem with therapy, I learned how to separate my value as a person and as an artist from my income (or lack thereof). I learned how to appreciate the creative spaces that value me. I debuted this song as a part of a Trans Day of Visibility concert presented by New York City Gay Men’s Chorus at DiMenna Center. I learned how to grapple with imposter syndrome and win. I had the ability to invest in new equipment and software that helped me put together a demo I’m proud of for a song I’m proud of. I’m looking forward to a bright future of releasing new music and building a community that protects and uplifts people like me.”
I Don't Need to Be Something
Green Summer
WAITING!
Comme Ci Comme Ca
“Rally for Respect” — Directed by Douglas Morse
“KRATER: GATELESS” — Giselle Manzano @giselle.ny, Colombian designer and multidisciplinary artist
“Lana’s Studio Tour” — Lana C. Marilyn, Literary Artist
“Guaranteed Income for Artists and All” — Wolfy Part II, drawer
“Would I Compare or Compete, or Just Complete??” — Mana Tagami
“VICTORY to the MOTHER” — Katie Cercone
“La Flor de la tetecha” — Francisco Carrillo, compositor
“LETTERS FROM THE OCEAN” – Anonymous
“A series of drawings that I’m currently working on imaginary scenes inspired by the ocean wonderland. These precise hand-drawn blue lines are generated through an immersive meditative process that connects the micro process of the mind that rhymes with the dynamic ecosystem of the ocean at risk from human obliviousness.”
Written Expressions
Nurturing Creativity - Anonymous
In a world where creativity often struggles to find its footing amidst financial constraints, CRNY emerged as a beacon of opportunity, igniting the passions of countless artists, writers, musicians, and innovators. As a creative individual, I found myself navigating the maze of aspirations with a fervent desire to bring my visions to life. Yet, the daunting reality of financial limitations threatened to stifle my dreams.
This program was like an oasis in the desert of artistic endeavor. With its support, I found myself with less financial worry, empowered to delve deeper into the realms of imagination. I could devote myself more to my craft, exploring new techniques, experimenting with daring concepts, and refining my skills without compromise.
Beyond the tangible benefits of financial assistance, this grant program bestowed upon me a sense of validation—a recognition of the inherent value of creativity in all its forms. It affirmed that my voice mattered, that my visions were worthy of pursuit. This validation, perhaps more than any monetary aid, fueled my passion, emboldening me to push the boundaries of my creativity further than I had ever dared before.
"Godiva Chocolate" - Anonymous
When I worked at Hachette a division of an international media company, instead of a holiday bonus, we received four gifts that they bought in bulk. I gave them away except for the box of Godiva chocolates.
In a week, I would be travelling to visit my family in Las Vegas and attend a holiday party. The Godiva chocolates was the perfect gift.
Two nights before the trip, I began to feel resentful about the gifts. Why should I give them all away? Despite being lactose intolerant, and not a chocolate lover, I opened the box of assorted Godiva chocolates and ate one piece. I waited for the inevitable and nothing happened. So, I ate another and another until I devoured half the box — 8 pieces and didn’t get sick! Oh My God!
The next evening, I challenged myself again. There they were staring at me –decadent dark chocolate truffles, Raspberry Star, Midnight Swirl and a dark Ganache heart. I ate them all.
After decades of abstaining from chocolate, this was astounding! I ate the entire box of Godiva chocolates and didn’t get sick!
The following week, I went to the mall in Las Vegas with my sister. We stopped at a candy store where they were giving away free pieces of chocolate. Do I dare?
I did. My stomach became a little queasy. I then realized that I was a Godiva chocolate girl.
A Year of Change - Anonymous
Being Apart of the CRNY program was a true blessing.It gave me a sense of peace as an artist. Often times, artists face financial instability during our careers and having this guaranteed income each month allowed me to really focus on developing my career as an actress.
I was able to audition more frequently without having to always work at my survival job. I was able to work on my other creative outlets and explore what other titles that I want to have in the entertainment industry. I am sure that other artists can relate to the freedom of furthering their careers while having guaranteed money every month.This program also gave us a sense of community.
Thank you to CRNY for giving artists the chance to explore our careers while giving us a sense of financial freedom. Hopefully this program can be continued so that other artists can experience it.
The Poor, The Rich, The Bears - Branden Janese, Writer
One time in a busy city where shit happened, swirled cultures clashed. Every adult was assigned a bear to protect their person. Slowly, one by one, the city’s poor people sold their bears to avoid debtor’s prison, and could not afford to hire new bears. In a few years, it came to be that the only people in the city who had protective bears were the rich.
The rich trained their bears to battle, sharpened their claws and teeth everyday, and the bears grew meaner and more barbaric. Whenever a poor person so much as had a petty disagreement with a rich man, their rich’s bears pounced and mauled the poor to death.
And there it was. The perfect public genocide.
Bed-Stuy, an historically Black neighborhood, lost 22,000 Black residents and gained 30,000 whites from 2010-2020.
Auntie in the White House - Branden Janese, Writer
Once upon a time, a black Auntie lived with the President of the United States, and the First Lady, to help raise their daughter. One day Auntie listened as the First Lady rehearsed a speech dozens of times, a speech where she referred to black boys as Super-predators. On another day Auntie poured tea for the President and his team while they planned a billion-dollar crime bill: Super prisons for Super-predators. On a rainy day Auntie hung on the hallway walls of the white house a framed front page newspaper with the headline: President’s Bill Passes to Jail All Super Predators.
The day when Auntie’s only daughter was in labor, she rushed from the White House to the hospital. As Auntie’s daughter pushed out a healthy, black baby boy Auntie looked at the innocent infant and whispered with genuine certainty,
“Super-predator.”
Negrophobia affects Black and non-Black Americans almost equally
Cherry in November - Branden Janese, Writer
Sweat it out sister
Recycle the old blood
Think of your childhood friends
Remember their trailer park names
Spencer, Cody, Brandon, Tucker, Chi Chi & Crystal
And remember
how you played tag after midnight
in the summer
When it gets real cold
Heat up the house with the stove
And smoke in the kitchen
You can smile now, can’t you?
You got your teeth fixed
To feel like jazz
take a busy pill or
Shake the house or
Roast in bubble water or
Drink bubbles from the bottle
and eat a plate of fire
Try on pearls at a department store
Steal something
If you ain’t an artist, then what are you?
Write a story about a Michigan woman who married a Puerto Rican
Tell the story of a woman who had a baby by an Italian trick
So what you’re a degenerate
Spin that
So what you’re a bastard
Spin that
Don’t search for lost family
You come from half white Slave girls who farmed sugar
Write a bible, start with,
Don’t steal what you can pay for
Make black girls
believe in make believe
& black magic
I’m closer to the sun
than I am to the moon and the
Sweet sticky sugar between my thighs is melting
I don’t bleed no more
Until I die || And I die real pretty