The diversity of being a creative: Finding your path through CCI

Collage by Matias Pacheco-Ramirez, Photographer

Some students arrive at Chapman University knowing exactly what path they want to follow. But what if you have too many passions to choose just one? 

Art exists across all domains, such as music, film, fashion, media, culture and so much more. These domains all intersect in Chapman’s creative cultural industries (CCI) program.

The CCI program allows students to navigate these spaces where art can be seen and pursued in a number of different forms. 

Launched at Chapman in 2018, the CCI minor has provided a number of different opportunities for students in fields from entertainment to music, public relations, museum curation, marketing and more. In the fall 2026 semester, CCI is expected to implement the program as a major. 

Charly Amador, a junior communication studies major, had declared her minor in CCI within this past academic school year.  

“No one talks about CCI enough,” said Amador. “Not a lot of other schools have it, but because we do, people are able to showcase their talents and work through the program.” 

CCI has allowed Amador to critically think about the arts she already had interests in, such as music, film and poetry. 

“It has taught me to understand so many different cultures and art forms,” she said. “I have dove deeper into the arts that I already have known and it has given me a chance to learn so much more.” 

Rather than separating creative disciplines into individual categories, CCI emphasizes the relationship between all of the different industries. Students are encouraged to examine not only how art is created, but how it is shared, marketed and interpreted across different audiences and communities. 

Junior political science major Maya Silver is also in the CCI minor program. 

“Being part of CCI has helped me appreciate the arts more since I have a deeper understanding of what goes into the creation of art and the industries that they exist in,” said Silver. 

For many students, CCI has broadened their academic interests and also has changed the way they interact with art in their everyday lives. 

To Silver, music has always been the artistic medium they connect with most because of its emotional accessibility and cultural outreach.

“Music is incredibly versatile and is something that can easily connect and appeal to anyone,” Silver said. “Everyone has a connection to music in one way or another, given how ingrained it is within cultures around the world.” 

Silver’s experience within CCI has expanded appreciation beyond simply consuming art, but to allow a better understanding of the industries, the creative processes and the cultural influences behind it. 

“CCI has allowed me to further discover my appreciation and love for the arts and why I interact with the art that I do,” said Silver.

By introducing perspectives and case studies rooted in these realms, the program encourages students to examine how creative industries constantly influence one another rather than only exist independently. 

As Chapman prepares to expand CCI into a major, the program continues to attract students whose interests stretch beyond a single artistic discipline.

Embracing the overlap between art, culture and industry has helped students discover where their passions may intersect. So though there is no one single path in CCI that students have to follow, the openness of this program is where many students find their interest and success.