How I Create Success as an Artist While Navigating Cancel Culture

N3VLYNNN on Aerial Silks

Last week, I received an Artist grant and fellowship from Mass MoCA.

This is the 2nd grant cohort that I have been accepted into this Fall, and I am so proud of myself!

The stylized photo above is of me on the Aerial Silks, a few hours after I received my award letter. I tried a new move at the end of class, which unlocked an even greater sense of achievement!

Earlier this year, I deepened my commitment to focus on my Art full-time instead of devoting my energy to looking for a job. Grants were an element of my sustainability plan, alongside the creative endeavors I’ve already monetized, such as this Substack blog, and my documentary Film.

To be honest, I have had some major reservations about putting myself out there within conventional creative spaces. While I know that I’m very talented and worthy of receiving great opportunities to share my gifts, I haven’t always felt super confident that they will be obtainable for me.

This is mostly due to the controversial work I’ve published on how the Trans Movement negatively impacts women in my community. I am aware that if those articles or interviews fall upon the wrong eyes, I will be automatically disqualified from any opportunities that I would otherwise rightfully deserve.

And there are so, so many “wrong eyes” in the Art world…

Here’s the thing: My platform is not super well-known right now. But I believe there will come a day when I can no longer hide under the radar.

Some of the platforming that I’m aiming for, or which I’m simply open to receiving—will require me to sacrifice my ability to receive these sorts of opportunities and social acceptances—for the sake of flourishing in my authentic voice.

So while I am grateful to receive these grants, and they are certainly supportive…I know that each time I receive an opportunity like this, it may be the last time.

With this in mind, I poured my heart into these applications and overcame my fears.

I pushed myself to be more honest about my work than I thought I would be, without sharing to a level that would have folks clutching their pearls.

It paid off. And I am so glad I gave myself a chance.

Now I’d like to peel back the veil about my process and experience around this grant thus far, which may be relevant for other Creatives who may have gender-critical views—especially those who are positioned to receive special priority within Woke Administrations due to a marginalized status such as “BIPOC”, “LGBTQ”, etc. 

I’m pouring my heart out about the unglamorous aspects of navigating “exposure” and potentials for fame with the kind of work I create, and how I am moving through my fears around cancel culture during this phase of my journey.

I’d also like to share my hopeful vision of the future for Artists like me, who think and create outside of the box of political correctness.