Art in Primary Education: Aspects of Generalist Art Teaching

Abstract

AbstractThis paper considers the practice of generalist teaching in primary schools, but with specific regard to the teaching of art. It argues that, despite recent criticism of such methods, there is very little reason to suppose that primary schools will move to a pattern of wholesale specialist delivery of the curriculum within the foreseeable future. As a result, it suggests that the phenomenon of generalist art teaching is likely to remain a widespread aspect of primary education, and that art educators would therefore do well to consider whether the approach might not have something positive to offer the teaching of the subject. Accordingly, the paper provides an account of three significant advantages which it believes this method of teaching can offer to the teaching of art within the primary school. These are set against a range of evidence which both identifies the problematical nature of much past practice, but which also demonstrates the possibility of achieving quality in generalist art teaching. Finally, the relationship between previous problems in this area and the structure of teacher education is explored, and it is suggested that recent new requirements for such courses may offer the prospect of liberating the potential that has been identified.