How to make creative friends
The most impactful art movements never come from just one mind. It’s about groups of people, talking, brainstorming, collaborating, until from the back-and-forth of their energy, something new is born.
On a personal level, it’s incredibly difficult to make stuff without any support. We’re pack animals. If the people around you aren’t interested… you’re going to lose interest.
Make things easier on yourself (and more fun, inspiring, awesome, etc.) by cultivating your own group of creative friends.
You don’t have to found a whole new art movement, but spending time with creative people will help you stay focused, inspired, and happy (which is the most important part).
But where do we find creative people? Personally, I pride myself on always being able to find writers, musicians, and comedians to surround myself with, and working with them on projects or even just discussing my ideas with these brilliant people keeps me going.
I want to share some easy ways that you can grow your own group of creative friends, and reap the quality-of-life and artistic benefits of knowing more creators.
How to make creative friends
There are two big categories for this: ways to meet people in person, and ways to meet people online. Because online is easier for many of us right now, let’s start with that.
How to meet creative people online
Some people get really grumpy about meeting people online, but I’ve made some of my best connections through social media and apps.
My Creative Break
For instance, the fantastic ladies who own My Creative Break! We met through instagram, simply because we liked each other’s posts so often. If it wasn’t for the chance to meet them virtually, we would never have met!
You should definitely check them out. They provide workshops and “creative breaks” to motivate and inspire you. Definitely a great way to meet creative people online!
Find a Facebook group
There’s a lot of terrible things about Facebook, but the group function can be a great way to meet creative, kind people, if you use it right.
Start by searching for groups in your areas of interest.
Don’t be afraid to expand! I joined several watercolor painting groups.
Do I paint? No. But being apart of the group and seeing their work keeps me inspired, and I will try soon!
Here are a few terms to jumpstart your search:
[insert your city or state here] improvisers
let’s make art
artists
binders (people post job opportunities and tips on these pages)
[insert your artistic passion here]
Start here, engage on the pages, and be nice. Soon, you’ll be making connections with people all over the world who love art like you do.
Take a class online
This idea only works, of course, if the class has some way to interact with the other people who are taking it.
Before signing up, make sure to ask: is there a chat function? Video meetings? There has to be some way to get to know your classmates, otherwise, this won’t really help with making friends.
Don’t jump right into asking personal questions, since this is offputting in an online context like this. Start by getting to know people as artists and fellow creatives. By focusing on the work you’re doing, you’ll bond more comfortably.
How to meet creative people IRL
If you’re an adult, you know it’s hard AF to make real-life friends. It seems like the only way is through work, but if you’re a creative type in a non-creative day job, this won’t work that well.
Here are some fun, sure-fire ways to meet creative people in person and form fulfilling, inspiring friendships.
Join an in-person MeetUp group
MeetUp is a fantastic app that I talk about all the time on our YouTube channel and blog. I recently suggested it as a way to find a regular writing group to help you make time to write, but it works for nearly any type of creativity.
Simply search your interests and set your location, and the app will show you a wide selection of creative groups to join.
My suggestion is start with three, attend them regularly for about a month, and then decide to keep one and dedicate yourself to it. Of course, if you enjoy them all and you have time, keep them all!
Take an improv class
Seriously! Improv is so great! Not only does it help with social skills, creativity, and emotional management, it also provides you a direct way to meet people with a great sense of humor and sense of adventure.
Taking an improv class in your area is an instant way to laugh with creatives like you, and start building relationships based on mutual humor and shared experience.
For bonus points, organize a hangout at a bar or restaurant after your class. This is the best way to get to know people quickly and move beyond the characters they play onstage.
Not sure what improv schools are good in your area? Shoot me an email at riley@makegoodcreativenetwork.com and I’ll help you find one!
Do some dweeb shit
I love dweeb shit. Dungeons and Dragons, TTRPGs, cosplay, comic con. All of these things are wonderful vortexes of obsessed, creative dweebs celebrating the things they love most.
Here are some ways to do some dweeb shit and meet wonderful people:
Start or join a D&D group or other tabletop RPG.
Go to your local bar’s board game night.
Dress up in full costume for comic con.
Follow your passions, and you’ll find other people who love the same things. Dweebs overlap very heavily with creatives, so jumping into any of these subcultures will lead you to artistic friends.
Your new friends are waiting!
The most important thing is to just go do stuff that sounds interesting to you. By signing up for and jumping into things you’re genuinely excited about, you’ll easily meet people who fit your vibe.
Which of these ways to meet new creative people sounds the most fun to you? Do you have your own ideas that have worked for you in the past? Tell us in the comments!
Need more inspiration?
Maybe you used to love your art... but the passion has run out.
Or you've got the enthusiasm, but no time.
Whatever it is, something is holding you back from what you really love to do.
Want to create more than ever before, and love doing it?
Grab our 21 CREATIVITY KILLERS GUIDE (and how to beat them)!
