A Place to Create and Find Your People

Access to creative community is often limited by cost, professional networks, and a lack of welcoming spaces. The Art Meetup is building an accessible platform for cultural participation and connection, rooted in New York City.

Founded by creative producer Lailani Gibson, the initiative brings people together through public, donation-based workshops, open mics, and art-making events. Programming centers Black, Latino, Brown, and LGBTQ+ creatives while welcoming participation across backgrounds and experience levels.

Its growth strategy focuses on recurring programming, neighborhood relationships, and sustainable funding. Financial support helps strengthen production capacity, keep participation accessible, and create more opportunities for artists and communities to connect.

Public on purpose. Built for lasting community.

Explore The Art Meetup

A group of diverse people sits in a room with large floor-to-ceiling windows, attentively listening to a speaker standing at the front. The room has a bright, natural light and views of buildings and trees outside.
A woman with braids and face jewelry painting on a canvas outdoors in a park.

More People Finding Their People

Through September 13. Source: Eventbrite order export. Includes free and paid ticket registrations, not verified attendance or unique people.

There are people you haven’t met yet who will be glad you showed up.

Making Space for NYC’s Creative Community

The Art Meetup is an independent cultural initiative making creative expression and community connection more accessible across New York City. Founded by creative producer Lailani Gibson, it brings people together through public, donation-based workshops, open mics, and art-making gatherings.

Cost, limited access to space, and established social networks can make creative participation difficult. The Art Meetup helps lower these barriers by creating welcoming opportunities to make art, share work, and build relationships. Programming centers Black, Latino, Brown, and LGBTQ+ creatives while welcoming people across backgrounds and experience levels. No artistic training or professional connections are required.

You do not have to perform to belong in the room.

From Neighborhood Gatherings to Cultural Institutions

From 2025 through Sept 2026, The Art Meetup independently delivered 20+ programs and generated 2,000+ RSVPs, with individual events drawing up to 600 attendees. That work reflects an ongoing commitment to creating places where people can make art, share something personal, and get to know each other over time.

Programming has extended from recurring Art in the Park gatherings at Maria Hernandez Park to Summer Streets chalk murals with NYC Dept. of Transportation and workshops and an acoustic open mic at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. These projects demonstrate the ability to work across public spaces and cultural institutions, adapt programming to different settings, and bring creative participation into neighborhood life.

Alongside those institutional relationships, programming and community support have involved Partnerships for Parks, The Blended Garden, Art Start, Holbein Arts, Brooklyn Tea, Create Wellness, Sweetgreen, Brick Arts, Salud, and DUDE Wipes. Contributions of materials, refreshments, resources, and programming support help turn shared interest in accessible arts into something people can attend and experience.

The next stage is to turn this foundation into more dependable programming. Sustained funding can support advance planning, production, insurance, materials, and organizing labor, while expanding paid opportunities for artists and workshop leaders. Growth means maintaining the care and openness of each gathering as the capacity to produce them increases.

The purpose remains practical and personal: places to create, people to get to know, and enough consistency for a good afternoon to become an ongoing connection.

RSVPs reflect registrations, not verified attendance or unique individuals.

Support The Art Meetup · Sponsorship inquiries

People gather around a table outdoors in a park, engaging in conversation and browsing materials during a community event.

20+ programs ★

2,000+ RSVPs ★

Up to 300 attendees at individual events ★

20+ programs ★ 2,000+ RSVPs ★ Up to 300 attendees at individual events ★

Street scene with tents and tables at an outdoor event, featuring colorful sidewalk chalk art and a manhole cover, with people sitting at booths in the background.
Group of people sitting around a long table in a bright room with large windows, some looking at their phones and papers, and one person holding a cup.
People sitting and standing in a spacious room with large windows, fluorescent lights on the ceiling, and green trees outside.
A large group of people seated in a modern conference room with floor-to-ceiling windows, listening to a speaker at the front, with a cityscape visible outside.
A man playing an acoustic guitar while standing indoors near large glass windows showing a cityscape with tall buildings and outdoor seating. Several seated people are visible, with sunlight streaming in.
A group of people seated in chairs inside a room with large floor-to-ceiling windows, watching a presentation given by a woman standing near the windows. The room is well-lit with sunlight and has a modern design with white ceiling tiles and blue umb
Outdoor scene of an art vendor's station at a public event, featuring painted canvases, paint bottles, spray paint, and a cart with art supplies on a paved area. In the background, people are sitting and standing near a stage or platform, and childre
People gathered in a park for an outdoor event, some sitting on the ground, others walking and standing. Children and adults are present, with some playing with soap bubbles. There are trees and a fence in the background, and booths or tables set up
Group of five women sitting and standing in a park with trees in the background. Some are looking at their phones, and behind them are colorful paintings and signs, including one that reads 'PORTRAITS'.
Two male musicians performing outdoors in a park, one singing into a microphone and wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey, the other playing an electric guitar and dressed in a bright gold jacket and sunglasses, with a food stand and trees in the background
A woman with dreadlocks wearing headphones, a white tank top, and jewelry is DJing outdoors at a park. Two men in white and black shirts are in the background, and there are trees and a fence.
A man crouches on the ground drawing with chalk on a paved area in a park, surrounded by people sitting on benches and trees.
A pile of pastel chalks on a piece of paper in the foreground, with an outdoor event stage and people preparing in the background on a cloudy day.
A man in a yellow t-shirt and white paint-splattered pants is painting in a city park with multiple people in the background. He is standing on a painted canvas on the ground. Nearby are cans of spray paint and other art supplies, and artist's equipm
People at an outdoor art fair with paintings on display on the ground, two men talking at a table, and others in the background, surrounded by lush green trees.
Group of performers and musicians on an outdoor stage in a park, with trees and brick buildings in the background, during a Brooklyn meet-up event.
Two women in white clothing and sandals singing or performing with drums in a park, with people sitting on benches and watching in the background.
Group of musicians playing drums and percussion instruments in an outdoor park setting with trees and a historic brick building in the background, during a sunny day.
Group of people playing drums at an outdoor event in a park on a sunny day.
Two women and a man are having a conversation at an outdoor event. The women are standing behind a small table with health and beauty products, including bottles and a poster advertising beauty treatments. People and trees are visible in the backgrou
A woman with tattoos on her arm painting a portrait on a small easel at an outdoor event. She is seated at a black table with various art supplies and mobile device nearby. A man with a beard in a white t-shirt stands in the background with other peo
A man with long dreadlocks wearing a baseball cap, white shirt, and light blue jeans sits on a wooden stool in an outdoor setting. He is speaking into a microphone placed on a stand, with several people in the background and trees and a building behi
A man with long dreadlocks and a cap is speaking into a microphone at an outdoor art meetup event in Brooklyn. There are paintings and art supplies displayed around him, and a sign explaining the event.
A woman with long dark hair singing into a microphone at an outdoor event, wearing a white sleeveless top, black shorts with silver studded belt, white lace-up boots, and black socks. Another woman with braided hair and glasses is sitting on the grou
A scene in a park where two young people, a woman and a man, are walking through a bubble display. The woman is wearing glasses, a peach sleeveless top, and jeans, while the man is in a backwards baseball cap, gray t-shirt, and shorts. Several people
An outdoor scene with children sitting and playing on a paved area, and an art supplies table with painted canvases, paint bottles, and brushes.
People gathered in a park, some sitting on the ground and others standing, with art supplies and signs around them, under large trees on a sunny day.
People gathered at an outdoor park for a community event or performance. A young man stands on a small stage with a microphone, while others sit or stand nearby. There are children playing, including a girl riding a pink and blue toy scooter. The bac
A man singing into a microphone outdoors in a park, with people sitting and walking around, and a basketball court in the background.
A diverse group of people participating in an outdoor event, with some wearing platform shoes, standing in line or spacing apart, with trees and other attendees in the background.
People gathered in a park, sitting on the ground and standing, with soap bubbles floating through the air, trees in the background, and vendor tables on the side.
A woman with long dreadlocks, wearing glasses, colorful earrings, and a floral dress, speaking into a microphone outdoors in a park with trees and people in the background.
A man in a red jacket and black hat is smiling and holding a walkie-talkie. He is standing outdoors at a Brooklyn Art Meetup event, with a microphone and a large speaker nearby. There are trees, a park with people, and a fence in the background.

Give Creativity Somewhere to Go

Creative expression and meaningful connection need space, time, and opportunities to take part. Cost, limited access, and the pressure to already know someone can make those opportunities feel out of reach.

The Art Meetup exists to lower those barriers through public, donation-based workshops, open mics, and creative gatherings across New York City. The mission is to make creativity part of everyday life and build community where people can share their work, develop confidence, and form lasting connections.

A place for creativity. Room for belonging.

Explore Upcoming Events

A busy outdoor flea market or street fair with tables displaying various items like books, toys, and collectibles. People browse, chat, and explore the booths, some sitting on the ground or in chairs. Trees and a small brick building are visible in the background.
A busy outdoor flea market or street fair with tables displaying various items like books, toys, and collectibles. People browse, chat, and explore the booths, some sitting on the ground or in chairs. Trees and a small brick building are visible in the background.
People gathered in a park for a street fair or community event with bubbles floating in the air and tents set up for vendors amid large trees and a partly cloudy sky.
Group of diverse women sitting and standing behind a table selling colorful abstract art paintings at an outdoor event, with trees in the background.
Two musicians perform outdoors with a green tree backdrop. One wears a black basketball jersey, gold patterned pants, and a black cap, singing into a microphone. The other, with spiky blonde hair, sunglasses, and a gold jacket, plays an electric guit
Woman with dreadlocks wearing headphones and jewelry DJing at outdoor event, with two men in white shirts in the background, surrounded by greenery.
People at an outdoor art event in a park with trees in the background. One person is sitting behind a table with art supplies, and a few others are engaging with artwork on the ground.
A group of people performing and gathering in a park for a Brooklyn event. Musicians are playing drums and singing, with some on stage and others watching. There are trees and historic buildings in the background, and a sign in front of the stage pro
Two women are performing with drums on an outdoor stage in a park, one playing a djembe and the other a steel drum, with trees and some people in the background.
A group of people performing drumming and dance outdoors in a park, with several trees, buildings, tents, and a food stand in the background.
A group of diverse musicians, mostly women, playing drums outdoors during a performance. They are wearing matching patterned shirts and sunglasses, with a few people in the background and trees surrounding the area.
Three people are talking at an outdoor event. One woman with long, curly blond hair and sunglasses appears to be explaining something, while a woman with straight brown hair and a man with dark hair listen. There is a table with promotional materials
A young woman sitting at a table painting a portrait of a woman with curly hair on a small canvas at an outdoor event. People are in the background, some walking and others participating in various activities.
A man with long dreadlocks wearing a brown cap, white shirt, and light blue jeans sitting on a wooden stool and speaking into a microphone outdoors in a park with trees and buildings in the background.
A man with long dreadlocks and a beard, wearing a baseball cap and a white shirt, is speaking into a microphone at an outdoor art meetup event in Brooklyn. There are colorful paintings on display and a sign describing the event behind him. The settin
A woman singing on a stage outdoors with paintings and a speaker in front of her, while another woman is sitting on the ground surrounded by art supplies.
People gathered at an outdoor event with vendors and children, under a partly cloudy sky, with an American flag flying on a tall pole in the background. A person is creating colorful chalk art on the ground that says 'Brooklyn Museum'.
People in a park surrounded by soap bubbles, with a woman and a man talking in the foreground, and others sitting and standing in the background.
Outdoor scene at a public event with children and adults, a table with colorful paint supplies, and scattered paint and artwork on the ground.
People gathered outdoors in a park, sitting on the ground, with some standing or walking, surrounded by trees and tents.
People gathered in a park, with some sitting on benches and others standing or walking around, while a man performs on a small stage with microphones and artwork displays nearby.
People sitting at tables in a bright, modern indoor space with large windows, engaged in conversation or using their devices during a meeting or event.
A group of people seated at round tables in a spacious, well-lit room with large windows showing trees and buildings outside. Some individuals are listening to a speaker standing near the windows.
A large group of people are seated in a modern conference room, listening to a speaker at the front of the room. The room has floor-to-ceiling windows with city views and outdoor umbrellas. There are cameras and audio equipment set up.
A young man wearing glasses, a black graphic t-shirt, and ripped jeans, playing an acoustic guitar indoors near large windows with a cityscape view. Several people sit nearby, listening to the performance.
A group of people in a park, with some sitting on benches and others standing, while a person in the foreground draws with pink chalk on the pavement. Large trees are in the background.
Colorful pastel chalk sticks scattered on a paper on the pavement in front of a stage set up for a community event with trees, people, tents, and an upright sign in the background.
A man wearing a yellow t-shirt and paint-stained white pants is working on a colorful art project on the ground in a park. There are other people sitting and standing around, trees, benches, and a cloudy sky overhead.
A group of young people at an outdoor event, some standing and others sitting on the ground, with colorful chalk and pastries scattered on the pavement. The scene is lively with trees and a building in the background.
Outdoor flea market with tables of books, toys, and miscellaneous items. People browse and sit, with American and military flags flying in the background. Clear sky with some clouds.
Street fair with tents, chalk art on pavement, people walking, children playing, tables with sidewalk chalk boxes, flyers, and maps.
People gather at an outdoor event on a street, with tents and chalk art on the pavement. One man and a boy stand with bikes, and some people are writing on the ground.
Colorful chalk drawings of flowers and swirls on a sidewalk at an outdoor event. Several people are visible under tents, with a sign reading 'NYC Children's Theater' on a table.
A cardboard box filled with rows of colorful chalks in pastel shades of pink, blue, purple, black, white, orange, yellow, and green.
Colorful chalk drawings and writings on the street, with people participating in an outdoor event under tents.
Chalk drawing on asphalt of a child's face with glasses and a scarecrow hat, along with colorful words and hearts.
Display table with a sign saying 'Welcome to the Art Meetup,' a gold decorative tray with small jars of paint or ink, pens, and notes encouraging making bracelets or brooches.
People seated in chairs in a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows and blue umbrellas outside, attending a presentation or event.
A group of people gathered inside a cozy cafe watching a live musical performance featuring a cellist and a guitarist.
A performer on stage at a nightclub or dance club with a DJ setup, smoking, and a large screen that says 'THE ROSE'. Audience members are facing the stage, with one person in the foreground wearing a red hat and another with bright purple hair.

Meet the Founder: Lailani Gibson

Close-up of a woman with long braided hair, wearing glasses with geometric frames, colorful cloud-shaped earrings, a jade pendant necklace, and a black and white patterned blouse, smiling at the camera. Background shows abstract paintings on a wall.

Founder & Creative Producer

Lailani Gibson is a New York City artist and creative producer who leads The Art Meetup, a community arts platform presenting public programming across neighborhood parks, the New York City Department of Transportation’s Summer Streets, and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

Her work focuses on producing accessible creative spaces throughout the city through event production and audiovisual operations. Gibson also publishes The Creative Plug, a weekly resource sharing creative jobs and opportunities with more than six thousand subscribers.

Her practice centers accessibility, care, and community connection.

The New York Renaissance Faire was exactly the escape from NYC I needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Two people taking a selfie in a park with trees, food cart, and other people in the background. One wears a white tank top and dark pants, and sunglasses. The other wears layered clothing, striped socks, platform shoes, and has colorful face paint and dreadlocks.
Two people taking a selfie in a park with trees, food cart, and other people in the background. One wears a white tank top and dark pants, and sunglasses. The other wears layered clothing, striped socks, platform shoes, and has colorful face paint and dreadlocks.

  • The Art Meetup is an independent cultural initiative based in New York City, bringing people together through art, live performance, workshops, and shared creative experiences. Founded by creative producer Lailani Gibson, its public, donation-based gatherings make space for creative expression and connection beyond traditional arts venues.

  • Local residents, visitors, artists, and anyone curious about creativity and community are welcome. The Art Meetup centers connection across backgrounds, disciplines, and experience levels, with particular care for Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ creatives. Check individual event listings for age requirements.

  • No. Artistic training, professional experience, nor portfolio are required. Curiosity and respect for others are enough.

  • Depending on the program, gatherings may include art-making, creative workshops, open mic performances, and time to meet other artists. Each event offers a different experience shaped by its setting and participating creatives.

  • The Art Meetup offers public, donation-based gatherings, with free admission options. Contributions help cover production costs and sustain future programming. Check each listing for ticket options and registration requirements.

  • The Art Meetup is based in New York City, with gatherings held across different neighborhoods and boroughs. Each listing includes the location or instructions for receiving the address after registration.

  • No. Programs take place in both indoor and outdoor settings, including parks, gardens, libraries, and community spaces.

  • Visit Eventbrite, select an upcoming event, and follow the registration instructions. Registration requirements and capacity vary by venue.

  • Sign-up procedures and performance guidelines appear in each event listing. Some programs offer on-site sign-ups, and spaces may be limited. Signing up does not guarantee a performance slot.

  • No. Listening, observing, and enjoying the atmosphere are welcome ways to participate. Attendees do not need to perform or make something to belong.

  • Opportunities to display, share, or sell work depend on the event and venue. A general admission ticket does not reserve exhibition space or authorize sales. Check the event listing for artist opportunities and participation requirements.

  • Accessibility conditions vary by location. Consult the event listing for available details. For specific access needs, contact the venue directly before attending.

  • Photography and video may take place to document events and promote future programming. Speak with the organizer or photographer about any concerns upon arrival.

  • Donate to help fund accessible arts programming and future gatherings. Every contribution supports The Art Meetup’s public, donation-based events. Attending, inviting friends, and sharing upcoming events also help the community grow.

  • Start with the Eventbrite description for event details and registration information. For additional questions, email events@theartmeetup.com. Inquiries receive responses as needed. Send questions in advance, as messages may not be monitored on or near event days.

Colorful chalk sticks organized in rows in a cardboard holder.

Keep Creative Community Within Reach

Help sustain public, donation-based art gatherings across New York City. Contributions support materials, event production, and spaces where people can create and connect.

Monthly support helps The Art Meetup plan ahead and keep participation accessible.

Give once or become a monthly supporter.

3.5% Cover the Fee

This is a donation supporting The Art Meetup. All donations are nonrefundable. Supporting does not guarantee admission, vendor space, or a performance slot.