Advise for a 32 yr old amateur who wishes to dedicate the rest of their life to creating art Sometime soon (over next 15 months or so) I’m going to change careers and begin creating contemporary art full-time. I realize I’m starting way late (I’m already 32), so I want to make the best early decisions that I can and not waste my time. Please give me any advice that you can to help me get started on this path right. First, I should say that I’ve already looked at other threads on this and similar topics. I’m not interested in creating commercial art (graphic art, design), nor am I interested in creating popular art (art shows, craft pieces, reproductions). I want to create gallery art, seeped in an understanding of art history, criticism, and theory. I have a serious muse itch (I have a binder full of hundreds of ideas), and I don’t think I will be able to stop it any time soon. Plus, I’ve already spent 10 years doing work I’m not fulfilled with; I want to dedicate myself to art 100% (understanding that I may have to spend time networking and communicating). My technique is not the greatest. All of my technique had been developed in middle school and high school (in the 90s) and various self-training. Over the last year I have been trying to retrain my technique, but I don’t want to waste much time if I don’t have to. Frankly, most of my ideas will end up being mixed media sculpture anyway, so I’m not sure how long I should focus on drawing and painting. I’m not independently wealthy by far, but I live cheaply enough, and I’ve saved up enough money over the last 10 years to float me for at least another six or so. Plus my spouse is pretty supportive and is willing to subsidize me. Any advice will be helpful, but here are some things I've been particularly brooding over: 1. Do I spend time and money on a BFA? Or a MFA? There are colleges within range of me that are not fantastic, but probably adequate 2. How do I make connections with other artists? 3. How do I establish my credibility? 4. How do I get my pieces into galleries? 5. How difficult is it to get a piece into a museum (like PS1, for instance)? 6. Who should I try to meet? 7. How do I pay for things? Some of my ideas may require access to some serious machinery and materials. Are there secrets?