Student Art Brief – Trigger Warning:  Consent & Sexual Assault


We are planning a campaign that will shine a light on the importance of consent at UCLan, challenging rape myths and encouraging victim-survivors to come forward. This consent campaign will use artwork made by students to illustrate issues that sadly affect students far more than other groups.

Sexual assault and harassment in UK campuses continues to be a huge issue. Students are more likely than others to be assaulted and we must do something to try and prevent more misconduct. We are planning a campaign that will shine a light on the importance of consent at UCLan, challenging rape myths and encouraging victim-survivors to come forward. This consent campaign will use artwork made by students to illustrate a student-centred issue.

The Brief

We are looking for a creative and critical response to the subject of sexual assault, consent and or domestic violence. You can do this in whatever medium feels most appropriate to you, whether that be dance, design, sculpture, textiles etc. We would like some focus on the intersectionality of this theme, including how these issues effect all genders, sexualities, and ethnicities and therefore encourage submissions from a wide range of backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences.

Your work will become part of a campaign combatting sexual assault on campus and emphasising the importance of consent. The launch event for the campaign will be an exhibition of the work submitted, there will be people from industry as well as refreshments and food at the event. This exhibition will also be open for Freshers 2024.

Prizes will be awarded to the student/s artwork chosen to be part of the wider campaign around sexual violence at university. If you are uncomfortable with your work being a part of the wider campaign following on, please let us know with your submission that you would prefer to feature only at the exhibition and not as part of the wider campaign.

Any medium can be used – be as creative as you can.

We are looking for physical submissions. They should be taken to the Students’ Union Welcome point with a title page including the title “Art Submission ‘Consent & Sexual Assault ‘, Full Name, UCLan Email Address,

Title of Artwork (if there is one), along with any other drawings/work books to explain the piece (if relevant).

The deadline for this brief will be Monday 22nd April at 17:00.

We are looking for physical submissions. Students looking to submit dance, spoken word or other similar pieces should send a video to suwelfare@uclan.ac.uk or arrange for the piece to be seen by the VP Welfare in person by using the same email.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at suwelfare@uclan.ac.uk (Joe Bigland)

If you are struggling to know where to begin, we have attached some helpful starting blocks/artists that have also explored similar themes.

https://www.whitecube.com/gallery-exhibitions/tracey-emin-a-fortnight-of-tears-2019

https://www.jaynejacksonphotography.co.uk/asking-for-it

https://www.alonglastname.com/may-we-know-our-own-strength

https://www.gq.com/story/male-rape-in-the-military

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/abramovic-rhythm-0-t14875

Support and Resources 

If you or anyone you know are struggling with any of the topics we have mentioned above, support is available via the links below.

Text Support.  If you feel you need to talk to someone immediately you can contact Shout, a free 24/7 text service for anyone struggling to cope. TEXT Shout to 85258.

Report & Support at UCLan 

National Rape Crisis helpline

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) in Lancashire

National Male Survivor helpline 

Galop is a charity that supports lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer people affected by sexual violence

Humraaz – specialist service in Lancashire led by and for black and minoritized women and girls, supporting survivors of violence, including sexual violence