Going Back to School

Four Artists Share Their Experience as Mature Students

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Thinking about going back to art school, or going for the first time? You may be wondering what it’s like to go back to school as a mature student. Is it hard to get in? Will you be able to handle the workload? Will you get anything out of it? We talked to four artists who retuned to school after the age of 40.

They're far from being the only students in their age group. At Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary, for instance, approximately 25 per cent of the student population is over the age of 24; close to four per cent is age 40 and older. And since 2020, those statistics have remained fairly consistent from year to year.

The Artists

Eveline Kolijn went to what was then Alberta College of Art and Design (now Alberta University of the Arts) at the age of 40, with two teenagers, a husband who was on the road a lot, and a dream of being a professional artist that she’d had since she was a young woman in the Netherlands.

Narda Ray returned to art school after a 16-year hiatus trying to make it as a self-taught artist. She was 41, with a seven-year-old child that she and her partner were homeschooling.

Kathleen Moors was a retired art and English teacher with a successful professional art practice when she went to AUArts at the age of 67.

Gail Hinchliffe was 73 and just retired from a career in business when she went to AUArts, inspired by her grandson’s experience at Emily Carr College (now Emily Carr University of Art + Design) in Vancouver. After finishing her bachelor of fine arts, she went on to get a master of fine arts from the University of Calgary at age 79.

Getting in

All four artists recommend spending time to gather together a professional portfolio that shows your strengths. They also recommend starting the process as soon as possible. Contact the registrar’s office to see exactly what you need, keeping in mind that getting transcripts from a college you went to 20, 30, or 40 years ago may be a lengthy process. 

Setting priorities

Think about your goals. Why do you want to go to art school? For Kolijn and Ray, it was to establish a professional practice through learning new skills. For Moors, it was to expand conceptually and participate in the academic conversation. For Hinchliffe, it was to learn as much as she could. Knowing what you what you want to accomplish helps you choose the right degree program and courses.

Fitting in

You may not be 18 anymore, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get along with your fellow students. While none of the four women participated in the social life of art school as much as their younger colleagues, they all found that a shared passion for art meant they got along with fellow students. That said, they recommend cultivating relationships with older students – people with who you may find you have more in common.

Finding time

With children to care for, both Kolijn and Ray had to find ways to stick to their studies. In Kolijn's case, whose children were older, it meant trusting them to do things for themselves more than they might have done otherwise. For Ray, there was a little more juggling. But both made it work.

Finding money

Research grants, loans, and bursaries ahead of time. Here's a good list of places to look for opportunities to fund your program.

Speaking up 

Instructors are there to help. If you’re having trouble with writing papers again after 20 years, or with tackling unfamiliar concepts, ask for help. There’s plenty available.

Is it worth it?

All four artists give a resounding YES! Kolijn would not have her present printmaking practice if she hadn’t returned to school. Moors and Ray learned concepts that helped them look at their art in new ways. And Hinchliffe, after 50 years in business, was inspired to carry on to grad school. ■

Also see: Fund Your Visual Arts Education

Visual Arts Grads Can Find Jobs, Life Satisfaction

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