Just like in any other industry, creative careers are built on who you know as well as what you know. But with the life of an artist being notoriously solitary, not to mention the fragmentation of communal spaces, connecting with like-minded people can feel more difficult than ever.
If you know where to look, though, both online and offline communities are still out there, waiting to help you grow (see our pick of the best social media for artists). Communities are as important to an artistic career as talent and tools.
Even the greats, such as Lois van Baarle, have benefitted from interacting with fellow creatives. “I first got started on Oekaki boards in 2003,” she explains. “These were kind of like online forums where you could also draw quite simple low-resolution images. It was a really fun way to share art and get to know other artists who were just starting out!”
And while the online landscape has changed drastically since 2003, she reasons that the fundamental approach remains the same for artists who are starting out today.
“I would try out a variety of activities: social media, Discord communities, and real-life events. I feel like the more direct the contact is, the more meaningful the connections are that you make. The landscape is always changing fast, so it’s best to diversify the ways in which you get your art out there.”
For creative director Anna Hollinrake, study groups and forums were a great way to hang out with artists and perfect her painting techniques.
“After I left university (a very natural creative community), I spent more time streaming on Twitch and meeting game developers and artists on places like Twitter (RIP),” she reveals.
“I’d go to industry events, overshare online (less recommended), and chat to people whose work I liked. That built a solid foundation of artists and game developers I knew, but it also created the confidence to meet people in unfamiliar spaces and seek guidance from artists I looked up to.”
Recent graduate and character designer Valia Zhuk has already started to feel the benefits of creative communities after her work was selected as a staff pick by The Rookies.
“It felt amazing to be recognised and to see my work featured alongside so many talented artists,” she says. “It was encouraging and motivating. As a pleasant bonus, I noticed an increase in views, likes, and followers on my Rookies profile, which gave my work more visibility and introduced it to a bigger audience.”
Online validation can feel incredible, but it can also seem very abstract. However, Lois is keen to point out that such recognition was foundational to her entire career.
“I started out participating in these communities, and now I manage a community of my own,” she says. “My Patreon page is my primary source of income, and it’s connected to a Discord server where people can share their art and take part in monthly challenges. I have also met most of my friends through the online art community. I truly don’t know where I’d be without these creative communities!”
The increasing importance of artistic communities
For André Luis, the co-founder of global artistic community Trojan Horse was a Unicorn (THU), in-person gatherings are an invaluable alternative that offer a sanctuary from the relentless noise of the internet.
“It has become toxic because it lacks the one thing that makes us human: real, unfiltered presence,” he argues. “When you’re behind a screen you are just a profile, a set of data points, but when you’re here with us, you are a soul.
"You cannot ‘download’ the energy of a room or ‘stream’ the feeling of a late night conversation that changes the trajectory of your life. In person, there are no algorithms telling you who to talk to or what to think.”
André created THU in 2013 out of a desire to have a positive impact on society and people’s lives. He says events remind people that they need to step away from the glare of the monitor and recall why they started creating in the first place. “We aren’t just an event; we are a reminder that the most powerful thing you can do in a high-tech world is remain deeply, stubbornly human.”
"I didn’t want to build another industry event. I wanted to build a home. Today, we’ve grown into a global ecosystem focused on one thing: empowering creators and everyone who wants to work in the digital entertainment world. THU has become an engine for growth, where we connect talent, studios, and life-changing opportunities."
THU was conceived as a place where people are constantly seeding new possibilities. "The real success isn’t a single headline or a specific hire – it’s the fact that the impact never ends," André says. "It ripples out in ways we might not even see until years later. It’s about the connections that stay alive long after the event is over and the doors that keep opening because of a conversation that started here.
"When people ask how we build the environment at THU, I tell them it’s both the simplest and the most complex thing in the world. We don’t follow the ‘industry standard’ because the industry standard is broken. It’s too fast, too loud, and too transactional. We focus on giving people the luxury of time, proximity over mass appeal, removing pedestals, and making sure that people feel safe enough to be vulnerable. We strip away barriers and allow everyone to connect on a human level. "
Anna agrees that the reduction in online interaction with artwork can feel isolating, and that in-person events provide a more rewarding tonic.
“Tabling at a convention puts you in front of the people that are interested in supporting independent artists, as well as putting you in proximity of fellow creatives and the wealth of inspiration that comes with that,” she highlights. “Art-making as a practice is pretty isolating, so getting your corporeal form in front of other people is good for the brain.”
Finding your art tribe
While it may feel overwhelming at times, connecting with a creative community should be fun.
“The best way to get the most out of art communities is to try talking to people, participating in challenges and other events, and enjoying your time,” says Valia. “For me, online communities have been valuable in increasing the visibility of my work and expanding my network. I believe these connections and opportunities will continue to grow with time.”
As far as André is concerned, the most natural way to connect with a community is to truly care about the person in front of you.
“You don’t need to be a salesman; you just need to be yourself,” he says. “Instead of thinking about what you can get from a conversation, think about what you can learn about the other person.
"We are all part of the same creative family, and most people you meet are dealing with the same fears and dreams as you. When you approach someone with kindness and a genuine interest in their journey, the barriers start to melt away.”
Anna avoids sharing a highlight reel with her communities and keeps her interactions as human as possible
Anna works across art, games, and education, so she recommends becoming part of multiple communities.
For Anna, the biggest step artists can take towards being part of a community is to show up consistently
This article originally appeared in ImagineFX. Subscribe to ImagineFX to never miss an issue. Print and digital subscriptions are available.
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