A "coterie" refers to a small, exclusive group of people who share similar interests or have a close relationship. It is often used to describe a circle of friends or colleagues who stick together and form a tight-knit community. Full definition
It began as a relatively small coterie of artists who all knew one another. (huffingtonpost.com)
I myself tried mightily on a handful of articles to edit them with reliably sourced and incontrovertible evidence only to have my edits continually removed by coteries of conservatives, well versed in Wiki acronyms, that essentially «sit» on selected articles to make sure that nothing gets in they don't want in. (realclimate.org)
His art was never one for coteries or movements, and after he left New York permanently in 1950, he and his wife settled in Paris rather than in Mexico. (artandantiquesmag.com)