The history of arts education in Brazil is summarised, based on its contradictions. Some aspects of the Brazilian educational system and the National Curriculum Parameters are presented, in order to identify the predominant approach to theatre education. Three situations of the theatre education landscape in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, are highlighted: theatre in the school system, in the Municipality of Florianópolis; the prospects for State Schools; and some aspects of rural education, specifically in teaching of arts in schools located in settlements of Agrarian Reform.