Are the Arts important in schooling?: Clear messages from the voices of pre-service generalist teachers in Australia

The Arts are an important part of curriculum in Australia. While it is an important area of the curriculum, teachers may not share the same views of importance. Views and perceptions about the Arts are formed during the beginning phase of teaching which includes pre-service teacher education. This important period of belief development can provide insight into what future Arts practice will look like in schools. In 2013, a survey was administered at two universities in Australia to explore the beliefs and perceptions of pre-service teacher generalist teachers about the importance of Arts and the role of Arts in schools. Pre-service teachers were also asked to share information on their current levels of Arts engagement. A total of 206 participants returned the survey. Findings highlight the lack of understanding about the Arts and poor engagement with Arts activities outside of university as an adult. These findings highlight a concern about the place of Arts education and are troubling for the future of Arts education in the Australian context.