A multidisciplinary arts collective that facilitates unique experiences fostering self-expression, healing, and community.
Liberated Creatives
Our Story
In 2020, I accepted a position at my local arts council that would change my career from an inspiring actress to an arts administrator, eager to help artists and the youth receive the support and resources they need for success. While I once found joy in my work and sought to inspire creatives, I soon felt burned out, leading to a decline in my mental health. Three years later, after exploring various avenues for renewal, I decided to quit. It was a difficult decision; it was hard for me to accept that a “dream” job wasn’t what I hoped it to be. Feeling lost, I took a year off to travel and rediscover myself as an artist.
For a few months, I was living in complete bliss. I went on a bucket-list trip to New Orleans with my best friend, and received freelance opportunities as an actor, administrator, curator, director, model, and teaching artist. It became clear to me that I wasn’t meant to put all of my energy into one artistic discipline, but many, and to share my talent and experiences to inspire others on their journey.
However, life took an unexpected turn when I experienced the death of loved ones, a financial loss, and a painful change in both my romantic and platonic relationships. Despite the challenges, I remained committed to making the best choice for me and decided to move back home and start over. This path led to the creation of Liberated Creatives—a venture centered on healing, artistic expression, and community.
- Keisha McMillen, Founder
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Hi- I'm Keisha McMillen, and my career has been a journey through many creative avenues—all rooted in a deep passion for the arts and community. I've dedicated myself to nurturing and promoting the arts in my hometown of Springfield, Missouri, working across disciplines including arts administration, theatre, film, curating, modeling, and nonprofit community engagement. My work has been recognized by the Springfield NAACP and the state of Missouri, but the most meaningful reward has been the opportunity to uplift others and foster creative expression in the community. Whether I'm curating a show, working on a stage production, or collaborating on a grassroots initiative, I bring a deep love for storytelling, self-expression, and inspiring others to live boldly and creatively.
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Our relationship to art, healing, and community is personal. Our founder was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Suffering from nightmares, flashbacks, and panic attacks, she sought help. As a theater kid, she was assigned to write her experience as a scene from a play and give her “character” a monologue to speak her truth. She refused the assignment and left. Her symptoms got worse. She returned to counseling with the completed assignment, and was asked to perform it. She refused and left again. The rise of the “Me Too” Movement inspired her to complete the assignment. With time and dedication to healing, the symptoms began to fade. Our founder has been on a mission to advocate art as a tool for healing ever since.
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Here, we value ART as a tool for HEALING. Our goal is to help others channel their overwhelmed emotions into art. Our tactic is to lead by example; we’ll dive deep into our emotions and turn them into something beautiful. We value LEADERSHIP. Our goal is to inspire you to create what YOU want. Our approach is to provide education and support to help you achieve your goals. We value COLLABORATION. Our goal is to create something that develops community. Our approach is to work with various artists, celebrate their work, and accomplish a shared vision.