Finding Your Creative Community: Creative Networking Session (SEPT. 19) Recap
The concept of “community” can be intimidating—it is a broad term and it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, our talented panelists had some great advice about how to make and nurture meaningful connections that can help sustain and inspire creativity.
Meet the Session Panelists
Daniel Augenstein
Artist & Painter
“I am a life long learner.”
Sally Otto
Maker & Co-Owner of Makers Mercantile & Studio
“I'm a maker—I'm a craft dabbler. To be honest, my house looks like Hobby Lobby, in a good way.”
Susan Anderson
Artist & Potter
“I'm a founding ‘godmother’ of the Madison & Main Gallery and that has been one of the greatest adventures in my creative life.”
Travis Krause
Artist, Educator & Coach
I am a coach, and I receive coaching—it’s part of what really helped me launch into becoming a working artist.”
Step 1: Know Thyself
A through line in the discussion seemed to stress the importance of taking stock—reflecting on: your strengths, your weaknesses, your needs and what you have to offer a community. Having clarity about your own unique skills and identity as makes it much easier to find your niche in the creative ecosystem that both needs what you can give and offers what you need to grow.
As you reflect here are a few kEy questions to ask yourself:
Are you willing to let yourself be shaped by your community?
If you aren’t really open to being affected or influenced by community, it will be very difficult to make authentic connections that last. What might baby steps along a journey to openness look like? (Maybe just something small, like joining an online chat group).
Whose perspective do you really respect and why?
Who would you like to learn from? When you envision a successful future for yourself, what qualities or characteristics do you possess? Who could help you attain those?
What do you need from a community right now?
Do you need in-person 1:1 human connection, rigorous instruction or critique, daily motivation and inspiration from creatives in your field or introductions/referrals to opportunities? Be specific! This will really help narrow down who you might approach and what your ideal community might look like.
What do you have to offer a community right now?
What are you able and willing to give? Can you share you expertise in some way? Could you make meaningful introductions for others? Do you have access to resources or opportunities that you could share? Be realistic about where you currently are so that you don’t get overwhelmed or feel like you are unable to follow through—we all have limitations and other commitments, so it is ok to be where you are now even if that’s not where you want to be someday!
Step 2: Put Yourself Out there
Seek out the groups and environments that align with the values, strengths and needs that emerged in your self reflection and start showing up! Step out of your comfort zone—slap that name tag on and introduce yourself!
“Fully show up, like start telling your story let people know who are.”
— Sally Otto
When you offer your authentic self, it will resonate with your people and make it easier to find belonging with them.
Much like dating, every event or interaction will not be a great fit and that’s ok! Consider it a learning experience that will help you better hone in on what you are seeking. Take heart, be brave and bold—keep putting yourself out there until you find the right fit!
“If you are looking for a community, they are looking for you.”
— Travis Krause
Step 3: Thriving in Community
While community can be beautiful and life-giving it can also be unpredictable and uncomfortable, so be prepared to get a little messy as you find your footing in a new group or space.
Keep in Mind:
The strengths and ideas of others will often propel you into new territory if you are willing to let them. Travis mentioned a time when he was invited and encouraged to try his hand at a mural even though he had previously been working at a much smaller scale. Likewise, Susan related a conversation with a grad school professor who exhorted her to try making different types of vessels in her pottery course.
“Moments of disagreement and challenge are what create growth—we find that in community.”
— Daniel Augenstein
Fear let’s us know that what we are doing is important, but it doesn’t have to hold us back. When we approach community with true generosity, we are often surprised by the ways it is reciprocated, whether that’s a referral, introduction or an opportunity, Sally reminds us.
“Try not to look from the standpoint of scarcity where you think that you don't have enough or know enough. That fear can really hold you back from sharing what you do have or taking positive risks.”
— Susan Anderson
It is normal to need many, often overlapping communities, so don’t worry about finding that one “perfect” group that meets all of your needs. Daniel points out that he has many spheres of connection: his family, his faith community, his colleagues… all play vital roles in his life. Likewise, Susan points out that naturally her collector community needs and expects different things than her community of fellow creatives.
Last but not least, it is ok to let our relationship with a community grow, flex and evolve overtime. Like all relationships, communities aren’t static—they are changing just as much as we are, so we should expect our relationship with them to change too.
Watch the Full Session Recording
Want to Learn more?
We hope you enjoyed our 2024 Cacophony of Creatives Sessions! If you want to learn more about these events, visit our main event page.
Written by: Dana Buckingham
Photos taken by: Dana Buckingham