How to Meet

How to meet creatives in Los Angeles: communities, hubs and events

Looking to meet creatives in Los Angeles? Discover the best communities, co-working spaces, events and spots where designers, artists and other creatives connect in the city.

How to meet creatives in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a hotbed of creativity, home to artists, filmmakers, designers, writers, musicians, and countless other creatives. Whether you're looking to make genuine connections or spark new collaborations, here’s your curated guide to finding your creative circle.

Communities for creatives in Los Angeles

Find communities for creatives in Los Angeles where you can meet like-minded professionals, share ideas and build lasting connections.

Type Thursday

Type Thursday brings type lovers together each month for drinks, talks, and a laid-back group critique to sharpen your letterforms. Hang with the community and get feedback on works in progress.
typethursday.org

Creative Lunch Club

Creative Lunch Club is a global community for people working in the creative industries. Whether you are a graphic designer, a photographer, a marketer, or a filmmaker, the Creative Lunch Club gives you the chance to regularly meet other creatives in your city for lunch.
creativelunchclub.com

Slant’d

Slant’d is an independent publishing house and creative community that amplifies AAPI voices through workshops, story slams and art focused gatherings that foster connection, expression and shared creative growth.
slantd.com

CreativeMornings

CreativeMornings is a global series of free, monthly morning talks that bring creatives together for coffee, inspiration, and good vibes.
creativemornings.com

The Design Kids

The Design Kids is a global community for emerging designers, with city meetups, interviews, jobs, and practical resources to help you build your folio and grow your career.
thedesignkids.org

Creative Hubs and Spaces to Meet People in Los Angeles

Discover creative hubs and coworking spaces in Los Angeles where people working in the creative industries regularly gather and collaborate.

The Brewery Arts Complex

One of the world's largest live-and-work artist colonies, this expansive 16-acre complex houses studios, galleries, and living lofts. Twice a year, its doors open for the Brewery Art Walk, inviting you into artists’ creative territories.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brewery_Art_Colony

Maker City LA

Maker City LA is a creative workspace on the 11th floor of The Reef in DTLA, offering flexible studios and offices with high ceilings, industrial vibes, and handy amenities. A relaxed, collaborative community for artists, startups, nonprofits, and more.
makercityla.com

Non Plus Ultra

Non Plus Ultra is an East Hollywood collective that gives artists space to create, perform, and experiment. With studios, event spaces, and residencies, it’s a hub where emerging creatives gather and share their work.
instagram.com/nonplusultrala

Groundfloor Los Angeles

Groundfloor is a member-only coworking and social club based in Echo Park, offering design-forward workspaces, wellness classes, cozy lounges, outdoor patios, meeting rooms, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Members enjoy 24/7 access, unlimited coffee, regular events, and amenities designed for both focus and connection.
groundfloorclub.com

Procolo

Procolo is a boutique, locally-owned creative coworking collective in Culver City offering six uniquely designed shared suites in a light-filled landmark building. Since 2010, it has provided turnkey, flexible space for startups and creative teams in an intimate, refined, and un‑corporate environment.
procolo.co

Hangouts & cool places for creatives in Los Angeles

Explore the best hangouts, cafes, galleries and cool spaces in Los Angeles where creatives tend to spend their time.

Human Resources Los Angeles (HRLA)

Human Resources Los Angeles (HRLA) is a dynamic nonprofit performance and exhibition space dedicated to interdisciplinary and experimental art. It hosts exhibitions, installations and residencies that support immersive and boundary pushing creative work.
h-r.la

Living Earth

Living Earth is an outdoor arts series that transforms parks and gardens into creative stages. With music, storytelling and nature based workshops, it brings together artists and communities to connect and collaborate.
livingearth.la

18th Street Arts Center

18th Street Arts Center is a leading artist residency program that supports visual and performing artists with space to create and share their work. Open studios, talks and community events foster collaboration and cultural exchange.
18thstreet.org

Stories Books and Café

A quaint and beloved hybrid café-bookstore offering new and used books, a comfy outdoor patio, and regular events like readings and open-mic nights. Stories Books & Cafe is a great place for freelancers and community mixers.
storiesla.com

Nova Community Arts

Nova Community Arts is a queer owned, community focused center dedicated to inclusive arts education for all ages. This welcoming space nurtures collaborative creation with workshops, classes and open studio access.
novacommunityarts.com

The Last Bookstore

Housed in a stunning old bank, The Last Bookstore is a famed literary labyrinth, that offers used books, graphic novels, vinyl, art installations, and even creative book clubs spanning topics like Afrofuturism and feminist dystopia.
lastbookstorela.com

Timeshare

Timeshare is an artist run space created to share resources and foster conversation outside the commercial art market. Founded collectively by artists, it hosts experimental exhibitions and collaborative projects rooted in community and mutual support.
timeshare.group

Creative Conferences and Events in Los Angeles

The key conferences, design weeks and creative events in Los Angeles where you can meet other professionals and stay inspired.

AIGA Design Conference

date 2026 tba · Los Angeles, CA, USA

AIGA Design Conference is the flagship gathering of AIGA, bringing together graphic designers, visual communicators, and creative professionals from around the world. It features inspiring talks, workshops, and community events that explore how design shapes culture, drives innovation, and creates real impact.
aiga.org/design/aiga-design-conference

Flux Festival

date 2026 tba · Los Angeles, CA, USA

Flux Festival in Los Angeles brings together film, art, and emerging technology through curated screenings, immersive installations, and creative workshops.
flux.net

LA Art Show

LA Art Show is the largest and most comprehensive contemporary art fair on the West Coast, showcasing galleries, installations, and global exhibitions each January–February.
laartshow.com

Photo L.A.

Photo L.A. is an international photography fair founded in 1992, drawing thousands annually for exhibitions, seminars, and emerging photographic talent.
photola.com

Meetups & Get Togethers for Creatives in Los Angeles

Regular meetups and informal get togethers in Los Angeles where creatives connect in a relaxed setting.

Los Angeles Artists and Creatives Meetup Group

Los Angeles Artists and Creatives is a Meetup group where painters, writers, musicians, and all kinds of creatives connect, share ideas, and inspire each other. From book club picnics to writing circles, it’s a welcoming space to create and meet like-minded people in L.A.
meetup.com/losangelesartistsandcreatives

Websites & Resources for Creatives in Los Angeles

Online communities, platforms and resources for creatives based in or connected to Los Angeles.

LA Dept of Cultural Affairs

The official Instagram presence of the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, offers a vibrant window into the city’s creative heartbeat. With a community of over 25,000 followers and more than 2,000 posts, the account celebrates arts, culture, and civic programming. from public art installations to theater highlights and cultural events. It's a go-to hub for staying inspired and plugged into L.A.’s dynamic cultural scene.
instagram.com/culture_la

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to meet other creatives in Los Angeles?
The best way to meet other creatives in Los Angeles is to show up consistently somewhere rather than hoping a one-off networking event leads somewhere. Creative Lunch Club is a good starting point and a great way to meet other creatives: you get matched with a small group of creatives for lunch, which is a much more natural way to actually get to know people.
Where can I find creative communities in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a growing number of communities for creatives, from global networks like Creative Lunch Club to local meetup groups and coworking communities. The best place to start is joining a community that meets regularly, so you build real relationships over time rather than just collecting contacts at one-off events.
Are there networking events for creatives in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a range of events throughout the year where creatives meet, from industry conferences to informal gatherings. That said, traditional networking events can feel forced. Many creatives prefer more relaxed formats like Creative Lunch Club, where you meet people over lunch rather than awkward small talk with a name badge.
How do I find designer meetups in Los Angeles?
A good starting point is Creative Lunch Club, which runs regular meetups for designers and other creatives in Los Angeles. Beyond that, keep an eye on local design communities, Instagram, and event platforms for one-off gatherings tied to conferences or design weeks.
Where do graphic designers hang out in Los Angeles?
Designers tend to gravitate toward independent cafés, creative coworking spaces, and community events. Online, local design groups and communities like Creative Lunch Club are where a lot of the conversation happens and where lunches and meetups get organized.
How do I break into the creative scene in Los Angeles?
Show up consistently. The creative scene in Los Angeles is more accessible than it looks -- most people are open to meeting others, especially in a low-pressure setting. Joining a community like Creative Lunch Club is one of the easiest ways in, since you're introduced to a small group of people rather than thrown into a room of strangers.
Where can I meet freelance creatives in Los Angeles?
Freelancers make up a big part of Creative Lunch Club's members in Los Angeles. It's a natural fit since freelancing can be isolating and lunch is an easy, low-commitment way to meet people. Coworking spaces are another good bet.
What are the best creative events in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has plenty of events for creatives, ranging from design conferences and film festivals to photography exhibitions and music events. For regular, ongoing connection rather than one-off events, Creative Lunch Club runs monthly meetups in Los Angeles year round.
When I joined Creative Lunch Club, I didn't expect to connect with people who live in the same neighbourhood as me. It's pretty cool to build a community of creatives in your vicinity, especially because it's easier to nurture those connections when you live in a big city. I love it.
Chase Hirt

Agency Owner & Creative Director, Los Angeles

Thanks for running such a great community! I'm so glad I took a chance and tried this for the first time, and I can't wait for the next month to roll around. Excited to see this network grow!
Ruth Lee

UX Designer, Los Angeles

I stumbled upon Creative Lunch Club and had my first lunch and loved it. If you are a creative looking to be less lonely in this sprawling city and have interesting conversations in Los Angeles, I recommend it.
Kristen Fung

Marketing, Los Angeles