Welcome, Caitlin!
From a fellow creative, I'll tell you that I'm not ashamed of it, and glad to hear you aren't either.
Of the little wisdom I can offer...I totally understand and even tend to agree that if more people "came out" so to speak, it might help lessen stigma. HOWEVER. It would be wise to sit with this for quite some time before putting it out there. It can be a strong impulse when newly dx'd, but time will give you a chance to let you really sort your thoughts and to hear others' experiences so that you may better weigh the pros and cons. Because it's not just pros. It's important enough that it deserves significant contemplation. Because it's one of those things that can't be undone. Anything of an un-doable nature should receive its due reflection, yes?

I'm not saying it shouldn't be done. Just that it's something that should really be given significant time and thought. And part of that is to consider extent and circumstances in which it is beneficial for your particular life situation. Many find --within one person this is -- their answer to be various degrees of disclosure. Who needs to know? Who is trustworthy to not gossip or otherwise use it badly towards you? What is a given person's attitude in general towards such things? Sometimes we can make an accurate assessment of that, and sometimes... not so much. People can surprise you. In both directions. Anyway, these are just a small sampling of things to think about. Everyone is different. Everyone has a different combination of factors that play into their decision.
As bipolars, we have a strong tendency to make some pretty big decisions without thinking much past what seems like a really great idea at the time. Hell, notoriously so. (I've known this, try to watch out for it, and yet continue to do it over and over again(!) Can't even tell you how many times I've said, "WTH was I thinking??!!")
So, anyway, blah blah blah, welcome and hope you find some of this useful.