Writer, curator, and editor-in-chief of UP Magazine, T.K. Mills returns to the podcast.

Mills shares how living in New York City shapes his writing, curatorial practice, and editorial leadership at UP Magazine. UP Magazine is the urban art publication he founded and leads. Mills discusses how UP Magazine gives a platform to street artists and storytellers covers graffiti culture while documents the creativity found throughout city neighborhoods.

Mills talks about building community and the impact of current events and city life on the artists he works with and features in the magazine. He reflects on balancing running an independent publication and fostering collaboration.

For Mills, art and journalism work together to strengthen connections across the creative world.

Topics Covered:

• How New York City’s energy and culture shape Mills’s projects and UP Magazine
• The influence of street art and graffiti on his editorial vision
• Highlighting diverse voices and documenting city stories
• Building creative community through the magazine and curatorial work
• The challenges and rewards of running an independent publication
• Balancing growth, authenticity, and collaboration
• Using art and storytelling to inspire dialogue and connection

Discover Mills’s work with UP Magazine at upmag.com or follow @t.k.m85 on Instagram.

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

Support the podcast

• The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.org
• The Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.social
• The Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=en
• The Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/
• The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble