About Nonnative Creative

What is Nonnative Creative?

Nonnative Creative is an audio/video interview project featuring individuals pursuing creative work in either a) a country that is not their home country, and/or b) a language different from their mother tongue. How did they get started? What’s difficult about what they do? What excites them about their work? What have they learned? And how can we follow what they’re doing next?

What are the goals of Nonnative Creative?

The project is an effort to help better connect people with different backgrounds through sharing passions and creativity. A growing number of people are moving around the world to pursue their passions in a multitude of ways. There are also a growing number of people with more than one cultural/linguistic identity. What can we learn from the different ways people are navigating these “in-between” spaces?

This project aims to highlight the various ways internationally minded creatives are tackling issues in their fields, to give young people new role models and sources of inspiration, to connect people worldwide with people thinking a bit differently, and to encourage constructive, positive, educational approaches to our interactions with other countries and cultures.

The long-term goal of the Nonnative Creative project is to create scholarships for young people to study abroad. To reach this goal, the project will need support in many forms!

How do I support the project?

Contributions to the Nonnative Creative Patreon are greatly appreciated (and supporters will receive bonuses in return for their generosity). Other ways to support the project are simply watching/listening to episodes, sharing episodes (or clips) on social media, or telling the people you know about the series.

Another great way to support the project is to nominate someone for inclusion in the series. If you are a Nonnative Creative (or you know someone who is), please fill out the nomination form here.

Other Information

Nonnative Creative is available in video and audio formats. The video format allows for subtitles, which is helpful for people who are learning English. Subtitles also allow people with hearing disabilities to enjoy the interview content.

As the series grows, so will the content. In addition to featuring inspiring creatives from around the world, Nonnative Creative also aims to share about locations to better contextualize discussions and further encourage viewers and listeners to explore.

PROJECT CREDITS (alphabetical order by last name)
Director, Producer, Host: Alisha Ivelich
Camera, Audio, Lighting: Ice Elloso, Meg Igarashi (documentary-style episodes)
Logo, Monogram, and Design Guidance: Jan Vranovsky
Animation (logo): Alisha Ivelich
Japanese Subtitle Translation (trailer): Yuka Hyuga
Music Composition, Piano (trailer): Alisha Ivelich

Special Thanks (documentary-style episodes) (alphabetical order)
Catch & Flow Team
Shibuya Oiran
Otai Record School
The Room
Tokyo International Players (TIP)