The artwork of Dorset schoolchildren has been given a huge showcase.

The big screen at Bournemouth’s Avenue Shopping Centre has been transformed by artwork created by local students as part of Arts University Bournemouth’s I Can’t Draw campaign.

In collaboration with outdoor media owner Ocean Outdoor, AUB’s Access and Participation and Marketing teams have been working with local pupils to tap into creativity in schools, regardless of drawing ability. The project encourages school students from all over the country to look at drawing in a new way, experiment with media and find different methods of expressing themselves.

In addition, members of the public have been invited to try their hand at creating art through mark-making, collage and textiles, supported by students from AUB’s BA (Hons) Events Management and BA (Hons) Textiles courses.

Simon Pride, head of recruitment and marketing at AUB, said: “It was inspiring and humbling to see such a brilliant group of young people working together to create artwork that explores such a wide range of themes and techniques, while challenging the widely held misconception that people simply can or can’t draw.

“I Can’t Draw came about in response to art teachers in schools requesting help to attract students to GCSE art and other creative options, and it is a big issue, with a 27 per cent decline in the last seven years.

“Often the reason given for not taking art GCSE is as simple as ‘I can’t draw’ – a reflection of preconceptions about the draughting skills required to ‘do art’. This project is all about breaking down those preconceptions and building students’ confidence and sense of their own creative ability through exciting, non-traditional approaches to drawing.”

I Can’t Draw is co-funded by SUN (Southern Universities Network), a collaborative partnership comprised of higher education providers in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight that provides outreach activities for schools and colleges.

Dr Anna Farthing, executive director of External Engagement at AUB, said: “It’s wonderful to see the town centre alive with creativity via this collaborative project that brings together AUB staff and students, local schools and businesses, and the wider community.”

Teachers can get their students involved with I Can’t Draw by using the form on the AUB website to order an I Can’t Draw pack. Each pack comes with six creative lesson plans that explore drawing and can be easily modified to suit the class or adapted for online delivery.

A pack of resources can be downloaded at aub.ac.uk/i-cant-draw.