REFLECTIONS
The 2026-27 theme is “What My Culture Means to Me”
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN - CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
Calling All Young Creators!
Create an original work of art inspired by this year’s theme, “What My Culture Means to Me,” and enter the PTA Reflections student arts program.
Entries are due October 16, 2026.
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY - CLICK HERE
What Is Reflections?
PTA Reflections is a student arts program and contest that encourages children to explore their creativity and express their ideas through the arts.
Students create an original work inspired by the annual theme. Entries receive recognition at Melinda Heights, and first-place entries in each category advance to district-level judging. Judges consider interpretation of the theme, creativity and artistic technique, with the greatest emphasis placed on how meaningfully the work connects to the theme. The 2026-27 theme is “What My Culture Means to Me”
How to Enter
- Review the rules and choose an arts category.
Read the general Reflections rules, then review the guidelines for your selected category below. - Create your original work.
Your entry should be inspired by this year’s theme, “What My Culture Means to Me.” - Write an artist statement.
Explain what inspired your work, how it relates to the theme and what you want others to understand about it. - Complete the online entry form.
A parent or guardian should enter the student information and follow the instructions for uploading or turning in the artwork. - Submit your entry by October 16.
Keep the original artwork or file after submitting.
Be sure to review general rules for Reflections programs and entries.
Open to Students of All Abilities: The Accessible Arts Division welcomes students of all ages and offers division-specific accommodations to ensure that every student has the chance to participate fully in the program. See full division guidelines.
Categories
Students may submit original work in one or more of the following categories:
Visual Arts: Create a visual work such as a drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, ceramic piece, digital artwork, craft or other two- or three-dimensional art. See full Visual Arts category guidelines.
Photography: Capture an original photograph using a camera. Accepted forms include a single photo, panorama, photomontage, multiple exposure or photogram. Black-and-white and color images are accepted. See full Photography category guidelines.
Literature: Submit one original written work, such as a poem, short story, reflective essay, narrative or drama. Entries may be handwritten or typed using grade-appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling. Must not exceed 2000 words. See full Literature category guidelines.
Dance Choreography: Create an original choreographed dance composition. The student must be the choreographer but does not have to perform in the entry. Must not exceed 5 minutes. Accepted files .mp4, .mov, .avi. See full Dance Choreography category guidelines.
Film Production: Create an original animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia film. The student must complete the screenwriting, directing and editing. Must not exceed 5 minutes. Accepted file formats include: .mp4, .mov, .avi. See full Film Production category guidelines.
Music Composition: Compose an original piece of music using voice, instruments, digital sounds or any combination of musical styles. Audio entries must not exceed five minutes and should be submitted as an MP3 or WAV file. Sixth-grade entries must also include musical notation or a written reflective statement of 100 words or fewer. See full Music Composition category guidelines.
Ready to Share Your Creativity?
Explore what culture means to you and express it through art, writing, photography, dance, film or music.
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY HERE BY OCTOBER 16, 2026
Questions? Contact reflections@mhpta.org
