How to Find Your Community: A Creative’s Guide to Building Genuine Connections
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November 27, 2024
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Your artistic set-up is arranged perfectly. But something’s missing —
It’s that spark that comes from sharing your creative journey with kindred spirits and friends who just get it. ✨
Friend, I see you there, pouring your heart into your art while wondering if anyone else understands this pull to create that lives in your bones.
Your artist’s heart is itching for connection, and mine does too! All of ours do. Because even the most introverted among us need a creative coven to truly flourish.
Let’s explore how to find your community that will support your creative dreams.
Related: 10 Law of Attraction Quotes to Manifest Your Creative Dreams
The Importance of Creative Connection
Creating in isolation can feel like singing into an empty room – your voice echoes back, but something magical happens when others join in harmony.
At the beginning of my creative journey, fresh out of college, I felt a little lost. I didn’t feel like I had a like-minded community of artists who just got it — specifically, who shared my same values and passions.
And simultaneously, I didn’t feel like I could create.
When you find your creative community, you find:
✨Cheerleaders who celebrate your wins
🙌 Companions who understand your creative blocks
💫 Mentors who’ve walked similar paths
So… let’s help you find that beautiful community so you can thrive in your art.
| Online community platforms and social media can offer endless possibilities for connecting with fellow artists around the world — but understanding how to find your community starts with knowing where to look within them. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for an online space for intentional creatives! |
How to Find Your Community: A Creative’s Guide to Building Genuine Connections
(Local) Facebook Groups
Many artists struggle with how to find your community in the digital age — and while it might sound super simple, local Facebook groups is a great way to start!
Finding like-minded people groups can transform your creative journey from solitary to collaborative. Think of Facebook groups as cozy digital cafés where creatives gather to ask questions, promote some of their work, and meet.
The magic isn’t in joining every group you see — that makes it overwhelming and overstimulating! It’s about finding the ones that feel like home and then checking in consistently, seeing what people are talking about, and using it as a resource to ask questions and answer questions. Be a student and a teacher.
Related: How to Find Your Artistic Voice (Without Forcing It)
Facebook Events
Look for community building events in your area where artists gather to share their work and experiences. Facebook Events are like little doorways to your future creative family and a great way to get out of your bubble! The real opportunity isn’t just in attending the event though, but it’s in what happens before and after.
Before an event, look for others posting about attending solo and suggest meeting up beforehand for coffee. During the event, challenge yourself to have three meaningful conversations rather than trying to meet everyone. Afterwards, follow up with the connections that felt genuine — maybe share a resource you discussed or ask about their current project! Get their Instagram or phone number and consider making plans for the next event!
You might even consider hosting your own event. Start small – maybe a weekend sketching session in a local park or a creative show-and-tell at a café. These don’t have to be big or cost any money at all. You’d be amazed how many other artists are just waiting for someone to take that first step. 🙌
Related: How Does “Trusting the Process” Really Help Artists?
Influencers/Content Creators (Courses/Cohorts/Communities)
While free communities are wonderful, there’s something uniquely powerful about paid creative spaces. These are little, gated portals to finding others who are equally invested in their artistic journey. When you join a paid community, you’re connecting with people who’ve made the same commitment to their growth that you have.
Before investing, though, take time to ensure the community aligns with your values. Watch how the creator interacts with their audience. Do they foster genuine connections? Is there space for collaboration? The best communities aren’t just about learning from the teacher — they’re about growing alongside your peers.
Once you’ve joined, make the most of your investment. Join the live calls, participate in group projects, and reach out to others whose work speaks to you. These spaces often become long-term creative families, with relationships extending far beyond the course duration.
How to Find Your Community & Network Without Feeling Cringe
Okaaaaaay, but learning how to find your community often requires stepping out of your comfort zone! Let’s be real – the word “networking” can make even the most confident artist cringe.
But here’s the thing: when you approach it from a place of genuine curiosity and shared passion, it transforms from networking into something much more beautiful – creative connection.
| These networking tips will help you approach new connections with confidence and authenticity — and this creative community will help you remember that you’re not alone. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more creative inspo as I journey through a creative career right along with you. ♥️ |
See Everyone As Your Collaborator, Not Your Competition
The art world isn’t a pie with limited slices – it’s more like a garden where everyone’s growth makes the whole space more beautiful. 🌸 When you meet another artist in your field, try viewing them through this lens: “How could our unique gifts complement each other?”
Maybe you’re a photographer who meets a painter – imagine the possibilities of combining your mediums! Or you’re a musician connecting with a visual artist – think of the album artwork collaborations waiting to happen. Or an actor meeting another actor — late-night tea chats, audition emotional support, and cheerleaders to each others’ castings. What could be better?
And just remember that you don’t need to force any of this — the most magical partnerships often bloom from unexpected places.
Look for Symbiotic Relationships
While exploring how to find your community, remember that authentic connections take time. The most sustainable creative relationships are those where both parties bring value to the table. This doesn’t mean you need to have equal skills or experience – it’s about finding ways to support each other’s growth.
Perhaps you’re amazing at social media strategy while another artist excels at color theory. Maybe you’re great at organizing events while someone else has a knack for teaching techniques. These complementary skills create the foundation for lasting creative partnerships.
Related: Subtle Signs You’re on the Right Path (Even If You’re Doubting)
Let Your Childlike Wonder Fly Free
Remember when you were little and could make friends simply by asking “Want to play?” That same innocent curiosity can transform how you connect with other artists!
Instead of worrying about making the right impression, focus on being genuinely interested in others’ creative journeys. Because truly, there is something to learn from every interaction you have.
Ask questions that light you up: “What inspired you to start creating?” “What’s the most challenging piece you’ve ever made?” “What’s your dream project?” When you lead with curiosity, connections flow naturally. And suddenly, dreaded networking feeling melts away into genuine conversation. 🌱
Find Your Community Online with Violet Gaze ♡
Once you understand how to find your community, you’ll never want to create alone again. Friend, finding your creative community isn’t just about social connection strategies, but about finding the people who will celebrate your wins, support you through creative blocks, and inspire you to keep pushing forward.
Because here’s what I know for sure: somewhere out there, other artists are looking for exactly what you bring to the table. They’re waiting to be inspired by your unique perspective, to collaborate on projects that push both of you forward, and to build lasting creative friendships that feel like coming home. ✨
Don’t let another day pass creating in isolation. Your creative squad is out there — and they’re just as excited to find you as you are to find them. ☺️
Subscribe to join our community of heart-centered artists, and let’s make magic together. 🪄
