Inky

Hi all! I'm thinking about applying MFA programs in fine art at the ancient age of 40, and am trying to decide whether or not I am insane. : ) I do have a BFA, but I'd gotten away from doing art for many years. I now have a small studio and have been making work pretty seriously and participating in juried shows for the past several years. My primary focus is printmaking, but I also do other works on paper (painting/drawing). So: would it be nuts to attend grad school for fine art in my early 40s? I'm married, no kids, good health, financially stable, live in New York. My goals would be 1) most importantly, to have a context in which to take my work to a higher level, 2) to learn more about how the art world works, make connections, etc, and 3) to get the credential to teach, in case I should want to (I'm not proud: I'd happily teach at a community college or high school, and I do realize that even those jobs are hard to come by). I'm just starting to think about this process, so any thoughts, advice, or insight would be highly appreciated!! Inky (Note: sorry about the cross-post: this is my first posting, and I'd originally published it in the wrong forum.)

Hi all! I'm thinking about applying MFA programs in fine art at the ancient age of 40, and am trying to decide whether or not I am insane. : ) I do have a BFA, but I'd gotten away from doing art for many years. I now have a small studio and have been making work pretty seriously and participating in juried shows for the past several years. My primary focus is printmaking, but I also do other works on paper (painting/drawing). So: would it be nuts to attend grad school for fine art in my early 40s? I'm married, no kids, good health, financially stable, live in New York. My goals would be 1) most importantly, to have a context in which to take my work to a higher level, 2) to learn more about how the art world works, make connections, etc, and 3) to get the credential to teach, in case I should want to (I'm not proud: I'd happily teach at a community college or high school, and I do realize that even those jobs are hard to come by). I'm just starting to think about this process, so any thoughts, advice, or insight would be highly appreciated!! Inky