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About
About
“What My Culture Means to Me”
“What My Culture Means to Me”
That’s the theme for the 2026-27 Reflections Art Program, which has been bringing the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. California State PTA and its members, families and kids are on the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education.
Reflections encourages students of all ages to:
Unleash creative talents and be inspired
Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork
Experience the fun and joy of making art
Tap into critical thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme
Receive positive recognition for their original works of art.
Click here to see the California winners of the 2025-2026 National Reflections Art Program.
About the Theme
About the Theme
“What My Culture Means to Me” asks students to think about culture not only as something they inherit, but also something they live, celebrate, question and share. It encourages them to consider the people, places, traditions and values that have shaped their lives, and share those reflections through the arts.
Students might share:
Ancestry, heritage or on a tradition passed down through generations
What it feels like to learn, preserve or rediscover parts of their culture
Reflections on how cultures around theme influence their own
How culture influences their personality, school, neighborhood or chosen community
To learn more about how you might explore "What My Culture Means to Me", click here.
How to Enter & Entry Form
How to Enter & Entry Form
Students must submit their artwork and completed student entry form to the front office in addition to completing a virtual entry form online. Students must follow requirements and instructions specific to each arts category and division.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme may be submitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed except in the Special Artist Division.
Each entry must contain a title and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include a minimum of 10 words, but may not exceed 100 words. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for recorded music in dance choreography and film production entries. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use of PowerPoint presentations are prohibited because most graphic elements are copyrighted.
Categories & Submission Guidelines
Categories & Submission Guidelines
A paper entry form in combination with a virtual entry form is required for every single entry!
Remember, NEW POLICY: Council will accept a maximum of ONE entry, per student, per category. No exceptions! Council will still accept entries in different categories from the same student (Example: 1 photo, 1 literature, 1 film is ok. 5 photos only, no.) This provides a more equitable balance of competition so that all students have the same chance of advancing, as well as promotes quality over quantity.
Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme may be submitted
Each entry must be the original artwork of one student only
The entry must contain a title and artist statement (minimum of 10 words, max of 100 words)
Do not write any identifying information on the front of the entry (name, school, age, etc)
You may submit multiple entries in multiple categories
Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified
Dance Choreography
Dance Choreography
Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Folk Dance, Religious Dance, Dance Ensembles (color guard/indoor guard), Ice Skating/Dancing and Gymnastics floor routine
Photography
Photography
A single photo, Panoramic, Photomontage (one print of multiple original photos), A multiple exposure, Negative sandwich or photogram.
Non-accepted forms: entries with graphics over the image, collages and collections of photos, original film (negatives or transparencies) and multidimensional pieces.
Film Production
Film Production
Music Compostion
Music Compostion
A Cappella, Blues, Choral, Country, Electronic, Hip hop, Jazz, Latin, Musical, Orchestral, Pop, R&B, Religious, Rock, Sympohic/Concert Band and Traditional
Visual Arts
Visual Arts
Architecture (2D/3D), carpentry, ceramics, collages, photographic collages, computer-generated image, crafts, design, dioramas, drawing, fiberwork jewelry, kites, metal etching/punch work, mobiles, painting, printmaking, sculpture and wind chimes.
Accessible Arts
Accessible Arts
The National PTA Accessible Arts division is an option for students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 to have the opportunity and accommodations they may need in order to participate fully in the program. The division offers modified rules and guidelines to ensure that every student has the chance to be part of the National PTA Reflections® program.
Scoring of Entries and Judging
Scoring of Entries and Judging
All PTA Reflections program entries are judged on three criteria:
Interpretation of Theme (20 pts) - Most Important!
The title of the artwork and artist's statement should convey personal meaning and reflection on the theme
Creativity (10 pts)
Technique (10 pts)
Artworks are submitted first to Big Springs PTA, where they are first recognized, celebrated, and judged by two grade-level divisions, the Special Artists division celebrates student artists with special needs. Big Springs PTA then recruits a judges panel to blind judge and score the entries. The highest four scores from each division and arts category are subsequently forwarded to councils (Simi Valley) and then to districts (Ventura County) for consideration. The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit. Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.
Important Reflections Dates
Important Reflections Dates
Wednesday, September 30th, 2026: All entries are due to the front office and online. Any entries returned to the student that require additional information are due to the front office by Friday, October 2nd.
Tuesday, November 10th, 2026 (by invitation only): Students whose submissions have received council awards in Simi Valley will participate in a ceremony during the fall season, where they will also be considered for district awards in Ventura County. The district awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in winter 2026.
Spring 2027 (Dependent on Volunteers): All entries submitted by Big Springs students will be showcased at the Honorary Service Awards and Reflections Art Show at Big Springs Elementary School. More details to come.
Contact
Contact
Questions? Email Reflections@bigspringsptasimi.org
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