Appreciating the arts allows you to look at life a whole new way. Painting, dancing, spoken word poetry, and the like invoke feelings that prompt you to examine your life and relationships. This is a good thing. Best of all, there is a wide variety of things to do when it comes to the arts, from participating in a dance class to learning to paint to attending a lecture. You’ll benefit from being involved in an art-related activity whether you’re a participant or an observer, and you’ll meet both types of people and create new friendships in the process.


Finding an Arts Group to Join

The best way to form friendships is to see people on a regular basis, so if you’re interesting in the arts joining a group of some type would be an easy way to consistently get to know others who share your passion. Small talk is at a minimum because you already share an interest in the arts and can tailor your conversations appropriately. That’s good news for the folks who don’t care to engage in average chit chat.

Arts groups are everywhere so once you start looking you won’t have trouble finding one. The trick will be to discover a group where you truly fit in and feel comfortable. Give any group that you join some time so they can get to know you and you can get acclimated to everyone. Be gentle with yourself and know that it takes time to feel comfortable with a new group of people.

Search out places like your local community or rec center, arts center, or museum for groups to join. Many groups have social events centered around the arts, like:

• A monthly talk about a new art exhibit

• A class where people gather regularly to learn about art
• An informal gathering where people of all skill levels practice art
• A group that travels to different arts events and then has dinner or drinks after

Since “the arts” are made up of several different art forms and means of creative expression, there is no end to the amount of activities you’ll start finding once you look for them. You’ll also meet people who are artsy themselves, curious about art, or just enjoy the philanthropic nature of being a patron.

With all this variety, you might get a little overwhelmed, especially if it is also your goal to gain friends. If you’re new to joining these types of groups, it will take you some time to settle in and decide what you hope to get out of the group. Finding your way in a situation like this is normal so don’t give up.

Creating an Arts Group

You can also start your own arts-related group. This could be done informally, with a group of friends you invite over to paint or practice poetry, or through a place like Meetup where you meet somewhere centrally located and invite others to join.

Sometimes groups will ask artists or drama teachers to come give a talk to their club, and this can inspire a new set of activities. Your group can be devoted to practicing art, going to galleries or events to view or appreciate it, or a combination. The arts inspire us to think and talk with friends in way that a regular events don’t.

In general, people find art to be healing. It speaks to the possibilities in life and to learning about your own potential, which can help give you confidence to seek out positive friendships and be more accepting of others.