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I am having trouble finding any seriously creative learning programs geared toward adults, especially Seniors. I can find plenty of "enrichment" programs, and universities with classes Seniors can audit or take for credit, but little that helps the Senior who is serious about creative work and works differently from younger people.
For example, in recent years I have started composing music again, after a many decade hiatus, and I need to improve my techniques. I will move almost anywhere in the country, but where?
With the grim reaper lurking in the wings, growing each day closer, I don't have any time to waste.
Does anyone else have this problem, and have any ideas?
There also seems to be a branch of the Creative Retirement program in Charleston, SC. I think it's more for people who need direction in what to do with their retirement but I will inquire. Thanks for the suggestion
I am having trouble finding any seriously creative learning programs geared toward adults, especially Seniors. I can find plenty of "enrichment" programs, and universities with classes Seniors can audit or take for credit, but little that helps the Senior who is serious about creative work and works differently from younger people.
For example, in recent years I have started composing music again, after a many decade hiatus, and I need to improve my techniques. I will move almost anywhere in the country, but where?
With the grim reaper lurking in the wings, growing each day closer, I don't have any time to waste.
Does anyone else have this problem, and have any ideas?
When I was looking to move in retirement, I wanted to find a place where I could attend classes with other retirees but not take foo-foo classes meant just to keep older people busy. I found this list which is now old. Some of the links may be obsolete because these learning programs have new web addresses. My advice is to use the list, just to get the names and then do a web search on them to find the current website locations.
Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College (http://www.eckerd.edu/aspec/ein/ilr_usa.html - broken link)
I picked my place because it was the only one that actually offered more hardcore science-oriented classes. I live in a science town. The primary occupations in town are scientists and engineers (government and government contractors). So, the retirees in town are primarily scientists and engineers. The instructors can be had from both the current science workforce community and the retiree science community. If you live in an artsy town (paintings, sculptures, pottery, etc.) expect more classes geared to painting, drawing, sculpting, ceramics. My advice is to look for a known music town if you want a bigger and better choice of music oriented retiree classes. People teach what they know.
You made a very good point. Place is important, and one type of creative environment may leave a different type of creative person out in the cold.
The list you mentioned looks interesting, and I am starting to work my way through it.
I am having trouble finding any seriously creative learning programs geared toward adults, especially Seniors. I can find plenty of "enrichment" programs, and universities with classes Seniors can audit or take for credit, but little that helps the Senior who is serious about creative work and works differently from younger people.
For example, in recent years I have started composing music again, after a many decade hiatus, and I need to improve my techniques. I will move almost anywhere in the country, but where?
With the grim reaper lurking in the wings, growing each day closer, I don't have any time to waste.
Does anyone else have this problem, and have any ideas?
I am a senior. I live in an area that has a 9,000 acre park district. This pd offers classes taught by qualified others, or you can teach you own class. The document they call the 'playbook' will be released next month. It lists all the classes. This is the most resident/vistor/guest focused entity to which I was ever exposed. It offers performing arts, classes, all sports, family enterainment, etc.. The list is long, in addition to an award winning zoo. The person I talked to said they have a large selection of classes for seniors. Right now they are getting ready for the Senior Olympics. It is not cup of tea at all. You can view the current Playbook on line. I think it is a rarther strange thing, but you can use the Escape button to get out of any page. Peoria Park District
Not far from the park is a university that has an exellent music program. There is also a nearby college, and another college a little farther, that also offer music education. What I am suggesting is that between the ballet, opera, symphony, and creative artists there is someone who can tutor, point or otherwise help you find what you need. For a smaller town it has an amazing array of resources. Before I forget, there is also a musicians union that is over a 100 years old. Local 26 - Peoria Federation of Musicians :: Official Website of the American Federation of Musicians .
It is not a bad place to live. I've had home here for nearly 70 years.
Thanks for the information on Peoria. I think being in an atmosphere where people are serious about creative work is very important. Also, it has to be the right atmosphere, and one where a person feels able to function. As an example, I knew a very talented young musician as a child who just seemed to later drift around the U.S., never settling. After about a decade he went to South Africa and simply thrived. I feel tremendously inspired in Victoria, BC, although many people consider it a dull backwater. Alas, it's just too expensive for me to live in now.
I was born and raised in Portland, OR, and it was a wonderful place for music and drama as a child. But, I always feel a mental ceiling in Portland, and I had to leave. I am now living in Gilbert, AZ, and, although I know there are things going on here, such as a Bach chorale group, the place paralyzes me.
I had another friend, a pianist, who never could do anything until she found Boston. Other people were dead in the water with their careers until they took them to Europe.
My brother, who spent over 40 years as a professional musician, built up his career in California. When he moved back to Oregon it stopped dead, and he was never able to re-start it.
Place is important. Different types of people gather in different places.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ORexpat
Thanks for the information on Peoria. I think being in an atmosphere where people are serious about creative work is very important. ... When he moved back to Oregon it stopped dead, and he was never able to re-start it. Place is important. Different types of people gather in different places.
That is certainly true, and very interesting as I look at (and exist within) the current Portland culture. There are lots of culture offerings, and some very good talent, but for me it has never fit. I'm not sure I would fit back into the particular 'artsy' culture that I left in Colorado 28 yrs ago, but a small group I helped form is recording their 30th anniversary CD.. I am very happy for them, but I have not found a place for my own talents in the PNW . I bet it exists somewhere, but time is running out to find it
Peoria is a very old town with a very old history and culture. The university was founded before 1900. The summer theater group is the fourth oldest in the nation. The juried Art Fair is the oldest in Illinois, as is the park district. Peoria has the only active performing opera group in Illinois. outside of Chicago That isn't all. Peoria has all types of mustic from Chamber to jazz and from Orchestra to children's music workshops. Music is stressed K-12. We love music whether it is Greek or Polka, or Broadway or Barbershop or coomunity or great choirs, or bands or guitar. You find it inside our acustical buildings, amphitheater, and in the park, too.
I love music, I salute anyone who can create it. Peoria is a town of people helping people. It is upscale and downtown. It is highrise condo, elegant apartments, and single family homes in modest neighborhoods, It is small and big business. It is green. It is a mix of rolling hills and forested areas, green lawn and naturen. It is a community of colors and many talents and privated clubs and regional foods. Chances are if you come to visit and spend more than a day you'll find what you seek. And it is affordable. Our grocery tax is currently 1%. Our housing is mixed. You can find a nice apartment in a good neighborhood for less than $500, but if you don't have a set budget, the sky is the limit. I think it meets seniors needs quite well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ORexpat
Thanks for the information on Peoria. I think being in an atmosphere where people are serious about creative work is very important. Also, it has to be the right atmosphere, and one where a person feels able to function. As an example, I knew a very talented young musician as a child who just seemed to later drift around the U.S., never settling. After about a decade he went to South Africa and simply thrived. I feel tremendously inspired in Victoria, BC, although many people consider it a dull backwater. Alas, it's just too expensive for me to live in now.
I was born and raised in Portland, OR, and it was a wonderful place for music and drama as a child. But, I always feel a mental ceiling in Portland, and I had to leave. I am now living in Gilbert, AZ, and, although I know there are things going on here, such as a Bach chorale group, the place paralyzes me.
I had another friend, a pianist, who never could do anything until she found Boston. Other people were dead in the water with their careers until they took them to Europe.
My brother, who spent over 40 years as a professional musician, built up his career in California. When he moved back to Oregon it stopped dead, and he was never able to re-start it.
Place is important. Different types of people gather in different places.
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Here is another perspective
. I am very happy for them, but I have not found a place for my own talents in the PNW 
. I bet it exists somewhere, but time is running out to find it
