New York is one of the world’s most inspiring places for creatives. Designers, writers, illustrators, filmmakers, and all kinds of creative freelancers live and work here, and the city gives you endless ways to connect with them. From local communities to coworking hubs and regular events, here are some great places to start.
Whether you're a designer, illustrator, filmmaker, or working in any creative field, this guide will help you find your people in the city. From casual meetups to vibrant community events,
New York
offers countless opportunities to connect, collaborate, and get inspired.
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.
CreativeMornings is a global series of free, monthly morning talks that bring creatives together for coffee, inspiration, and good vibes.
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.
AIGA is the go-to hub for designers in the US to connect and get inspired, with community vibes, events, and resources to level up your craft.
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.
Verci is a membership-based creative space in New York that brings together founders, artists, and independent creatives across different fields. Weekly gatherings, workshops, and hosted experiments turn it into an ongoing hub for collaboration, learning, and new ideas.
HexHouse is a creator-led space designed for experimental gatherings, equipped with a strong audio-visual setup and a warm, home-like atmosphere.
It’s a place where digital art, performance, and hands-on workshops meet, giving space for inventive projects and unexpected collaborations.
telos.haus is a coworking and event space that brings together creative projects under one roof, offering flexible rooms, a rooftop area, and a founder-driven vision for building a versatile home for arts and collaboration.
CEA is a creative studio and event space in New York that hosts gatherings across art, design, fashion, and culture.
Its minimalist aesthetic and flexible layout make it a fitting backdrop for exhibitions, talks, and community-focused events that bring different creative disciplines together.
Oslo Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee shop in Brooklyn known for its simple, honest coffee and welcoming vibe.
Radio Bakery is a Brooklyn bakery known for its creative approach to pastry and bread, serving fresh croissants, focaccia sandwiches and seasonal bakes each morning.
Land to Sea is a neighbourhood spot that blends café culture with an artsy, community-driven vibe.
It offers thoughtful drinks and treats during the day, then becomes a warm gathering place for music, creative meetups, and small events in the evening.
Lella Alimentari is a cosy Italian café that’s perfect for settling into a creative rhythm, with warm Mediterranean vibes, fresh piadini, yoghurt bowls, and great coffee that make it an inspiring spot to spend time.
Typographics 2026 is a design festival in New York City dedicated to typography, type design, and visual communication. The program includes talks, workshops, exhibitions, and community events that bring together designers, typographers, and type enthusiasts to explore the culture and craft of type.
F5 EMPATH is a creative festival celebrating the intersection of design, arts, media, entertainment, and technology, igniting unexpected inspiration. It unites visionary creators and innovators for an immersive, multi-sensory experience that pushes creative boundaries.
CultureCon is a conference that celebrates creativity, culture, and the voices shaping today’s creative industries, bringing together artists, designers, storytellers, and cultural leaders.
Through talks, panels, and community events, it offers space to share ideas, connect with others, and explore the future of culture and creative work.
NYCxDESIGN turns the city into a showcase of creativity, with exhibitions, installations, studio events, and talks taking place across all five boroughs.
It brings together designers, artists, and makers from around the world, offering a week of inspiration, discovery, and creative connection.
My first lunch was with Lea & Caroline, NYC designers like me and it was great to meet them outside of work in a casual setting. Creative Lunch Club does the hard part of linking me up with others when otherwise, I’d be so focused on work that I wouldn’t have the energy to find like-minded people. And you make new friends.
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!
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.
