Meet Nikash Chandra | CEO of My Art Beats Nonprofit & Student in South Florida

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikash Chandra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikash, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Expressing myself through art makes me happy. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved art and creativity. The first time I was exposed to art was an acrylic painting kit. From that moment onward, there was something about transferring thoughts onto a canvas that intrigued me. It was as if I could portray my emotions in a way that was considered beautiful and robust. Afterward, my art style has evolved immensely as I grew older. I currently specialize in abstract acrylic paintings, inspired by some of my favorite artists like Yoel Benharrouche. Additionally, the process of creating artwork is calming and soothing. I often paint when I want to escape into my own world of creativity and fun.

Aside from the art itself, what truly makes me happy is applying my art in ways that positively impacts my communities. Through My Art Beats, I’m able to share my creativity with others and use my art as a way to inspire and connect. Seeing my artwork bring joy and meaning to others adds a layer of purpose to my creations, making each piece feel even more rewarding.

When I first had the idea of starting an art based nonprofit organization, the concept really resonated with me. Instead of brushing it off as “just another idea,” the very concept of My Art Beats magnified my passion for art through a career path. It created a practical application for a hobby that I never considered to have such an immense value. Pursuing an artistic career is a constant reminder that creativity can inspire change, foster connection, and bring people together.

Moreover, art is a skill that allows me to think creatively and critically which can translate into many different fields. Even though I plan to pursue a future career in STEM, I’ve realized that both art and the sciences share a sense of curiosity, precision, and problem solving. Whether I’m mixing colors in a studio or chemicals in a lab, both processes share fundamental processes. When I graduate high school, I know the numerous skills I’ve learned from practicing art and creativity will never leave me in my future endeavors.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At My Art Beats, we focus on using creativity as a bridge for inclusion, empowerment, and education. Our mission is to provide students with special needs and developmental disorders a platform to express themselves through art, gain confidence, and be recognized for their talents.

We organize frequent service events, from teaching art at children’s hospitals and special needs institutions to hosting musical showcases at elderly homes. Through these activities, we’ve built meaningful connections across generations and communities, showing how creativity can heal and unite. Moreover, My Art Beats creates a platform for both volunteers and students to connect and learn their passion for the arts. It creates an easily-accessible environment that promotes a positive connection with creativity while emphasizing the benefits of artistic mediums for all students. Overall, our impact goes beyond art itself, it’s about creating empathy, confidence, and community through shared creativity.

That said, as with any organization, there will undoubtedly be hurdles to face. The most important aspect to entrepreneurship is to start at a baseline and work your way up. When I first started this organization, it was definitely not easy. It felt like every day I discover a new challenge or unexpected attribute and it was extremely challenging. I quickly realized that making small yet decisive steps would be the best way to sustainably grow our organization.

Today, our nonprofit has reached multiple communities and served over 1000 individuals, but it wasn’t always this way. When we first started, getting volunteers involved was a struggle. I remember the meticulous planning that went into our first event, only for a couple volunteers to show up. Our officer board felt defeated and we weren’t sure if our organization would ever reach the growth we had hoped.

After facing the hard truth, we had an important realization. Those two volunteers who showed up were two people genuinely interested in our purpose. They shared the same passion as us and wanted to help their community in the same way. Even if there weren’t as many people as we hoped for, we decided to look at this event as a sign of growth. It emphasized the scalability of our mission and showed that we had a chance of being successful in the future. This drive has stuck with us ever since, and is one of the most important lessons we can share. Whenever we face a problem or setback, we ask how we can improve from it instead of getting upset at the mistake. This mindset has brought My Art Beats through some of our most difficult times, ensuring that we never give up.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting the area, I would have them experience a mix of creativity, nature, and fun, some of the things that inspire me the most. First, I would take them to some of the most prominent places in the local art scene.

The Wynwood Walls in Miami is an excellent example of such: it showcases creativity through bold murals made by diverse artists. This energy-filled environment is one of my favorite places to visit because it depicts art in its rawest form. It stands as a strong example of how art can connect people from all walks of life.

Later, we would head over to Downtown Hollywood’s Art District, filled with outdoor murals, art galleries, local studios, and small businesses. All of these factors contribute to the diverse and rich atmosphere created through the local art.

Finally, I would save the best for last. My friend and I would explore the Eden House of Art in Miami, home to some of my favorite artwork and artists. Specifically, the gallery houses works by Yoel Benharrouche, an artist I have long looked up to and whose art style I greatly admire. He combines elements of music and abstract acrylics to create emotional pieces.

We would end the trip with a relaxing time at the beach, one of the greatest scenes south Florida has to offer. The warm yet vibrant sunset oranges mixed with the cool ocean blues makes for one of the most appealing visual compositions created by nature.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When I was just 6 years old, I started taking piano lessons and immediately knew piano was the instrument for me. As the years passed by, I found myself grow deeply inspired by Ms. Jaffird, my piano teacher. Ms. Jaffird is a truly phenomenal teacher to all students, including myself, but what stood out to me was her priority to teach music to students with autism.

After volunteering at Ms. Jaffird’s studio for a few months, I fell in love with her purpose. Rather than simply teaching the arts to students with various learning and behavioral disabilities, she was transforming their lives. Piano and other artistic avenues can often provoke parts of the brain that are uncommonly used and improve cognitive abilities. By helping these students think creatively through piano, Ms. Jaffird was building their autonomy and exemplifying their personhood.

I knew I wanted to follow a similar path to Ms. Jaffird. The problem is that arts-based education for students with disabilities can be quite costly, despite its various benefits. Especially with recent funding cuts in the special education and art departments in many Florida high schools, I wanted to create a lasting impact in my community for those who needed it the most.

As an attempt to mitigate these challenges, I decided to create My Art Beats, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing musical and artistic avenues to students with autism and other developmental disabilities. And, more broadly, our mission supports providing all students with a nurturing platform to express their creativity and discover how the arts can impact their lives.

Website: https://www.myartbeats.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myartbeatsfl/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/my-art-beats-inc-853a6b38a/