The Creative Shift : Why Collaboration is Key to Artistic Growth
Quick AF Introduction to the Top Three:
You’ve probably heard that creativity is a solo journey, like you’re some mad genius locked in a dark room, emerging only when you’ve crafted brilliance out of misery. Spoiler alert: That’s bullshit- Creativity thrives on connection just as much as it does on solitude.
Don’t get me wrong, some of my best work might have come through isolating myself in a creative dungeon, but if you think you can do this completely alone, you’re setting yourself up for a long, frustrating grind. Surrounding yourself with other creatives can be the difference between ‘pretty good’ and ‘damn, that’s impressive.’
Over the past 7 weeks I have participated in an artist cohort that explores just about every aspect of an art practice. If you are interested in the program, I encourage you to check out the Mid-America Art Alliance and specifically Artist Inc. Anyway, let’s talk about why creative circles are essential to bettering up your work.
1 - Why Feedback Loops Matter
Getting feedback can feel like inviting someone to critique your diary. It’s weird, uncomfortable, and sometimes you just want them to say, “Wow, you’re amazing,” and leave it at that. But here’s the thing—if you only surround yourself with cheerleaders, you’re basically setting up camp in Stagnation Station headed to the city of slumps and you are the mayor.
The right feedback doesn’t just stroke your ego; it sharpens your skills.
When you share your work with people who know what they’re talking about, you get a perspective that pulls you out of your own head, or ass. It helps you identify what’s actually working versus what’s just a product of you being way too close to the project. A line I fell in love with for an upcoming poetry project is -
“I can’t tell if my words are powerful.
Or am I a biased audience participant?'“
And yeah, criticism can sting, but it’s a hell of a lot better than wasting months of effort on something only to realize later it wasn’t as strong as you thought. The goal isn’t to impress everyone; it’s to make something genuinely worth their attention.
2 - Inspiration Through Exposure
Your creative network isn’t just there to pat you on the back. It’s a source of inspiration, even if it sometimes feels like everyone else is lightyears ahead of you. Watching what other creatives are doing forces you to stretch your own creativity in new directions.
It’s not about copying their work; it’s about stealing the thought process. Seeing how someone else approaches a problem or executes an idea can unlock a perspective you never considered. It’s artistic thievery at its finest, where you’re not really stealing at all—you’re adapting, remixing, and making something entirely your own.
Plus, the more you engage with other creatives, the more you realize everyone’s just trying to figure it out.
It’s humbling and oddly comforting to realize you’re not the only one questioning if your latest piece is garbage or genius.
3 - Collaboration as a Path to Growth
Collaboration is like letting someone else drive your project while you try to navigate from the passenger seat. It can be chaotic, awkward, and occasionally feels like a disaster waiting to happen. But when it clicks, it’s pure creative magic. Think about when you find yourself on autopilot and they unlock a scenic route to a place you didn’t realize was closer than your next bad habit.
Some of my most satisfying work has come from collaborating with other artists, writers, and designers. Bouncing ideas around, pushing each other’s concepts further, and figuring out solutions together is a whole different level of creativity. It’s the creative version of cooking with limited ingredients—you never would’ve thought to make that weird combination of flavors if you were only working with your own pantry.
Even when a collaboration goes wrong, it’s a learning experience. I cannot stress this enough, it is all a learning experience.
And when it goes right, you end up with something that neither of you could’ve created alone. It’s worth the occasional ego bruising.
If you want to grow creatively, find your people. Build a circle of talented, thoughtful, and sometimes brutally honest individuals who challenge you. The best work rarely comes from isolation—it’s a combination of solo effort and collaborative chaos.