Art of consenT
Thank you for participating in The Art of Consent pilot program. The deck you are using is the first in a series of curriculum decks that will be produced by MSS for distribution in 2027, including The Art of Grief, Loss, and Change, The Art of Self-Advocacy, and The Art of Working.
On this page you will find resources that will aid in the facilitation of the activities as you explore concepts of personal boundaries, choice, and consent, empowering individuals to better understand and advocate for their own bodily autonomy and safety in their relationships and in their communities.
Program Evaluations
As a participant in this pilot program, we would like you to fill out these evaluations. Below are the links to both the pre- and post-program surveys. Your responses will be vital information to make improvements to the curriculum before the public launch of the series in 2027.
Lesson plan templates
The activities in this deck are labeled according to complexity and time required (1-4). Activities can be done in any order and in any combination. Click the link below to view a list of lesson plan templates.
All of these variations are only suggestions and can be considered as examples for a structured class, or as a way to begin using the deck.
Curriculum Video & Photo Samples
The short videos, poetry, and photos of visual art found below are designed to give you a quick snapshot of how the activity looks in action, or the result of the artistic practice. The videos do not give a full example of how to facilitate the activity, but are provided to give you an idea of where you are heading while you read the activity instructions.
(Note: this is not a comprehensive collection of examples from all the activities included in the deck, but there are examples from every type of curriculum.)
VISUALS LIBRARY
The collections of visuals below can be used for curriculum activities that ask participants to find images that represent things in their life, such as personal strengths or things that bring us joy. These collections are only a start and intended to inspire reflection.
about the curriculum
The curriculum in The Art of Consent is based on the work of Upstream Arts (2006-2026), a Minneapolis based non-profit founded by Matt and Julie Guidry that used the power of the creative arts to activate and amplify the voice and choice of individuals with disabilities. Through residencies in schools and adult day programs, public performances and exhibitions, and professional development trainings for educators and disability support staff, Upstream Arts revolutionized life-long Social and Emotion Learning for individuals with disabilities of all ages and infused an Attitude of Access into organizational cultures throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro and beyond. Their work undermined social stigma, promoted a culture of inclusion, and built connections across communities, engaging people across numerous sectors to advance the organization’s vision of a more vibrant and inclusive world.
Matt Guidry was hired by MSS in 2026 to preserve and package the work produced by Upstream Arts and the many talented artists the organization worked with over its 20-year existence.