I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do with myself when we decided to move to Munich. I had a hunch I wanted to more aggressively pursue my career as an artist, and so I investigated going back to art school as an option. I found the website of the Akademie der bildenden Künste München and eagerly read through the information presented for those hoping to be admitted for an art degree course. I got so excited thinking about life as a full-time art student – how much I would enjoy the various challenges in each course, how much I could grow as an artist with all that new knowledge.
And then I started reading through the admissions requirements. And then I came to this bit: (Section 6.1.a.)
Minimum Age: Eighteen years at last birthday
Age Limit: Thirtieth birthday
Fabulous. My over-30-year-old-brain just isn’t worth their time. Too shriveled and useless to benefit from art school!
Eh, at a certain point (age?) I don’t think academic art training is all that necessary. Art school didn’t teach me how to paint. And it certainly won’t teach you how to make a living as an artist.
You MUST read this immediately:
http://brooklyndays.blogspot.com/2006/01/why-i-do-not-have-mfa.html
Interesting read. Reminded me of my evil painting teacher form college…
I think the appeal of school for me is 1) all the structured assignments, forcing me to try different things and 2) the other people. I suppose I can gets assignments in other courses, and come to think of it I don’t think I’d like hanging out with a bunch of 18-year-olds, anyway.