By Samantha Gray
Childhood piano lessons and scales from a long ago memory; a guitar that needs dusting off and tuned; an audition that nerves got the better of; and watching reels of swing dancers having the time of their lives are no match for today’s senior adults who are actively choosing to play, act, write, sing and dance. Taking up music, art, theater, writing, film or dance later in life, even if the arts have never been a significant part of it, makes a lot of sense.
Life changes, like more free time once the children are older or even retirement, may spur a long-held dream to paint or sing. With a little encouragement and a push on stage to help find the limelight, senior adults are drawing on a lifetime of experiences.
Leveraging those years and applying them to learning an instrument or a dance routine is eased by accompanying self-awareness and self-assurance, and diminished self-consciousness that comes with maturity.
That reservoir of acquired experiences can be engaged for the discipline and habits to learn to play the violin — or fiddle or learn a jazz square. The perspective of a lifetime may also mean having more to say about the world through artistic expression. At a minimum, taking up the arts within a community of artists is a great way to meet new people and make friends.
Fortunately, the barriers to artistic expression are nonexistent, and for those looking for a place or guidance, our communities are abundant with opportunities.
There are adult beginner ballet classes at Bristol Ballet, painting classes at the Slater Center, acting classes and stage roles or writing play scripts with Theatre Bristol and composing songs with Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia.
There are traditional music workshops at the Birthplace of Country Music, salsa dancing lessons with State Street Salsa, drawing classes at William King Museum of Art, singing with a local church choir or auditioning for Voices of the Mountains.
You can also attend local college and university arts classes or even pursue a degree in the arts or take private lessons with the many talented instructors in our area.
The Tennessee Arts Commission Creative Aging program specifically prepares organizations to include later-in-life artists in their programming, supporting the growing trend of arts programming for older adults. Theater companies have developed musicals for senior adults that accommodate any memory and mobility limitations. Arts commissions in Virginia and Tennessee have competitive funding opportunities in support of individual artists as well, for those who want to take it even further.
Discovering creative interests for the first time as a seasoned adult offers different rewards than in our youth. As adults with full lives, we may not feel like we have hours to spare to gain mastery, but mastery is just one benefit of engaging in the arts — benefits that are realized at any age.
Learning something new benefits our brains, particularly when we find it enjoyable and challenging — a perfect pairing of the arts and our cognitive wellbeing. Regularly engaging in the arts lowers stress and as a result, according to a long-term May 2026 study, slows down aging by as much as a year —which is on par with physical activity.
Participating in the arts is a way of giving back and serving the community. It’s a wonderful way to foster intergenerational relationships and even receive or provide informal mentoring for mutual benefit.
Putting in the work to build skills in the arts helps grow an appreciation for the arts and the benefits of the arts to the community, helping older adults be leaders as much-needed arts advocates and arts patrons.
Not everyone will be a late-in-life famous artist like Grandma Moses who began painting at 76 or Bill Traylor who began at 86, but it’s certainly possible to enjoy the many daily benefits of practicing the arts.
A first tap class at 4 years old is exciting and scary. It can be at 54 too. So, go with a friend; give yourself several months before you give up and move on; and be sure to practice, practice, practice.
It’s how you get to Carnegie Hall, or at the very least, how to gain skills, friendships and your passion, no matter your age.
