Learning in and through the visual arts

This chapter explores the principles of visual arts practice and the conditions that inspire and support primary school teachers to engage children with the visual arts. It explains how the experience young people have with the visual arts is often dependent on the beliefs and practices of teachers, particularly their preparedness to reflect critically on their art capabilities and those of children, and to seek out opportunities for shared learning with colleagues, school leadership and parents. This chapter maps the transformation of one generalist primary school teacher who, with the support of art specialist mentors, developed her agency in visual arts teaching, and has become a champion in her school in this area.