Getting Started at Wildies: A Beginner’s Guide for Newcastle Creatives

What is Wildies?

Wildies is a community-driven platform designed to connect Newcastle’s creative minds. Whether you’re a painter, musician, writer, or designer, Wildies offers a space to showcase your work, collaborate on projects, and discover local opportunities. The platform is run by Newcastle Creates, a hub for artistic development in the North East.

Getting started is straightforward, but a little guidance helps you make the most of it. This article walks you through the essentials: creating an account, setting up your profile, exploring the community, and finding your first project.

Creating Your Account

Your first step is signing up. Head to the Wildies homepage and click the ‘Join’ button. You’ll need a valid email address and a password. Choose a username that reflects your creative identity — it’s how others will find you.

Creating an account at Wildies takes just a couple of minutes, even on mobile.

Once registered, check your inbox for a verification email. Click the link to activate your account, then log in. If you don’t see the email, check your spam folder.

Setting Up Your Profile

A complete profile helps you stand out. Add a profile photo — a headshot or an avatar that represents your style. Write a short bio (150 words max) covering your medium, experience, and what you’re looking for on Wildies. You can also list your skills, such as ‘oil painting’, ‘songwriting’, or ‘graphic design’.

Don’t forget to link to your portfolio or social media. This gives potential collaborators a quick way to see your work. You can edit your profile anytime from the dashboard.

Exploring the Community

Wildies has several sections to explore. The ‘Feed’ shows recent posts from members — share your work-in-progress, ask for feedback, or announce an event. The ‘Groups’ area lets you join niche communities, like ‘Newcastle Printmakers’ or ‘Indie Filmmakers’. There’s also a ‘Jobs’ board for paid gigs and calls for entry.

Spend some time browsing before you post. Like and comment on others’ work — it’s a friendly community, and engagement builds relationships. You can follow members whose work you admire; their updates will appear in your feed.

Finding Your First Opportunity

Ready to get involved? Here are some practical steps:

• Complete your profile: Profiles with a photo and bio get three times more responses.
• Join two or three groups: Start with groups relevant to your medium or location.
• Introduce yourself: Post a short hello in the ‘Introductions’ thread.
• Browse the Jobs board: Filter by ‘Newcastle’ or ‘Remote’ to find suitable gigs.
• Attend a meetup: Wildies hosts monthly online and in-person events — check the Events tab.

Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. If you see a call for artists that fits, apply. If you have a skill someone needs, offer it. The community rewards initiative.

Tips for Success

Be genuine. Share your process, not just the finished product. Ask questions. Respond to comments on your posts. Keep your posts relevant to the group you’re in. And remember: Wildies is a network, not a marketplace. Building relationships takes time, but it’s worth it.

If you get stuck, check the Help Centre or post in the ‘Support’ group. Someone will usually reply within a day.

Next Steps

Now that you know the basics, log in and start exploring. Update your profile, join a group, and say hello. The Newcastle creative scene is welcoming — and Wildies is your gateway to it.