The Creative and Cultural Industries are vital to the prosperity of the Creative economy and as individuals, there are boundless opportunities to contribute. At Chapman University, the diversity of experiences within the CCI minor is vast. Students from various backgrounds and majors bring their unique expertise to the multitude of available classes. This semester, I had the opportunity to interview Cassidy Stillwell, a senior student pursuing Theater Performance B.F.A and CCI minor. In our conversation, Cassidy shared insights into her current passions in the entertainment industry and how she discovered the inherent connection between CCI and all her interests. Explore her interview below to read how her distinctive journey seamlessly aligns with the CCI program.
What made you pursue CCI as a minor?
CS: During my sophomore year, I was supposed to study abroad in London with my major, but due to the unprecedented circumstances of COVID, our class was unable to attend. After my year took a turn for the worse, I had an unexpected open schedule, so I suddenly had to find classes to fulfill my minor. At the time, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I've always been more artistically and creatively driven, so I knew the business or STEM paths were not for me. Following my conversations with a few of my graduating senior friends, they all directed me to CCI. I kept hearing the same thing: there was a plethora of classes available, and it was worthwhile to pursue. As someone who was keen on focusing in fashion and film, I had to give it a chance. I choose this program after a few classes, not only because I enjoyed the professors but also because they were all very understanding of my interests and hectic schedule. With this minor, I've come to understand that I'm not limited to a particular sector and can pursue careers in a variety of fields. As a devoted concertgoer, for instance, I had the opportunity to learn about the music business. The minor opened my eyes to a lot of other opportunities for my future and career, and as I continued to advance in it, I discovered that I could truly do anything I wanted, even substitute classes that were not part of the course catalog. It was clear to me that CCI aligned with all of my passions.
What’s been your favorite CCI class you’ve taken?
CS: Anything involving Professor Patrick Fuery. However, if I had to select a particular class, it would be CCI 203 Contemporary Issues in Creative and Cultural industries which focused on art and activism. Every week, we learned a new topic, watched interesting videos, and discovered new art. We even went on several interesting field trips! Something that struck out to me, in particular, was the Vietnam War. Since we saw films and art from that time period, it was particularly fascinating to view how art was depicted during that time. At the end of the semester, we were given the opportunity to work on our own individual projects, which involved researching a particular topic in activism and an artist. It was interesting to see the wide range of topics that people had, for example, some of them focused on gender inequality, and others chose completely different topics.
*CCI 203 is designed to explore a variety of subjects, including art and activism. When registering for CCI classes, be sure to check the schedule to see what topic the class will be covering that semester.
With CCI classes how has your perspective of art changed?
CS: I believe that art has the power to break down barriers and encourage conversations. Rather than just stating the facts, a growing number of musicals and films are beginning to convey messages in a way that is imaginative and artistic. These topics are exhibited to showcase different stories, they can be transformative, and are desperately needed in this world right now. Art has the power to change ideals.
What do you find valuable about the program?
CS: The time spent in class is quite valuable, especially since there are guest speakers. You constantly learn something new and discover new career possibilities, all of which are incredibly diverse and interestingly connected to CCI as a whole. One thing I’ve learned is that you can be creative and still work a 9–5 business job. For example, our previous guest speaker at one of my classes, was employed by Nike and assisted with branding analysis. Although she was working for an athletic company, she was still able to apply her creativity and passion for digital design at Nike.
If you are a creative, you can really work anywhere! You wouldn't believe there are this many career opportunities in CCI, but there are!
What is your advice for students that want to pursue CCI?
CS: Keep an open mind about what you wish to learn; there is a wide range of topics to explore. Make sure to take advantage of all of the experiences and opportunities that the classes can provide. These courses have the opportunity to broaden one's perspective on a variety of global issues, as well as other problems that are often overlooked. I guarantee that anyone who decides to pursue this minor will obtain new insights and understanding of the world. CCI is not only educational, but it is also highly creative, so don't be afraid to be innovative and think outside the box; that is what it is intended for, to broaden your perspectives. There has been a lot of love placed into this minor, and I believe that it distinguishes it from others. If you are creative and want to learn more about the world, CCI is for you. Do it!
There you have it CCI peers, you've heard it from Cassidy first. The CCI minor offers unlimited opportunities, enabling you to explore your passions, whether they lie in art, technology, music, film, or beyond. Cassidy serves as an inspiring example of how students can seamlessly combine their diverse interests in the pursuit of trying it all. We extend our gratitude to Cassidy for sharing her time and insights into the Creative and Cultural industries at Chapman. We wish her luck as she embarks on future endeavors and approaches her upcoming graduation! If you are a CCI student who would like to be featured for one of our student spotlights, or know of one, please contact CCI Social Media Coordinator at erosas@chapman.edu to be featured.
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