When do we do the Macarena? : exploring perceptions of the arts within primary education courses

Our contemporary understanding of arts education declares that it is an academic area of study that requires learners to use creative and complex thinking to engage in the creation, presentation and evaluation of the arts. However, pre-service teachers' perceptions frequently misrepresent the area, often as a result of societal values or their own school experiences. In this paper arts education lecturers reflect on pre-service teachers' perceptions of the arts, and the ways in which the facilitation of learning experiences may change those perceptions. The research also examines strategies used by participants to break down their preconceived ideas and stereotypes.