PTA Reflections 2026–2027: What My Culture Means to Me
 

What is Reflections?

Reflections is National PTA's student arts program, where students create original work inspired by an annual theme. This year, students in grades K–8 can enter in three categories: Literature, Photography, and Visual Arts. This is our district's first year participating, and we can't wait to see what our students create!

Entries are celebrated locally, and top entries can advance to NJ PTA and then National PTA, where winners can earn medals and scholarships of up to $800.

This Year's 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, explore, 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 a tradition passed down through generations
• What it feels like to learn, preserve or rediscover parts of their culture
• Reflections on how cultures around them influence their own
• How culture influences their personality, school, neighborhood or chosen community 

Ask these questions to help students move beyond simply naming a tradition to begin exploring why it is important to them:

• What traditions, people, places or memories help me understand who I am?
• What is something about my culture that makes me feel proud?
• How does my culture shape the way I see myself, my family or my community?
• What do I wish others understood about my culture?
• What story do I want my artwork to tell?

Categories & Divisions

Divisions: Primary (K–2), Intermediate (3–5), Middle School (6–8)

Each student may submit one entry per category. Click here for category rules.

Consider these ideas to help brainstorm about creating art in different categories:

• Literature: A poem, short story, essay or personal reflection about a name, family story, recipe, language, holiday, value or meaningful memory.
• Photography: An image of a meaningful object, gathering, meal, place, person or everyday moment that tells a larger cultural story.
• Visual Arts: A drawing, painting, collage, sculpture or mixed-media work using symbols, colors, patterns, textures or images connected to cultural identity. 

How to Enter

1. Review the rules for your category.
2. Create an original work inspired by the theme. All work is done at home, outside of school time.
3. Give your work a title and write a short artist statement explaining how it connects to the theme.
4. Submit your entry by November 9 using the digital submission form here.

 Key dates:

• October 5 – November 9: Submit entries
• November-December: Judging 
• January: Local winners announced, and top entries advance to NJ PTA
• March 1, 2027: State winners announced
• May 1, 2027: National winners announced

Volunteer as a Judge

Love the arts? Help us judge!

We're looking for parents and community members with experience in literature, photography, or visual arts to review student entries.

Judging is done online November-December, on your own schedule, at about 2–5 minutes per entry. Judges score each entry on creativity, technique and interpretation of the theme using National PTA's official rubric.

Sign up to judge here!

To keep judging fair, judges may not review a category in which their own child has entered.

Helpful Resources from NJ PTA
Student Checklist
Students & Families
Submission Guidelines
Titles & Artist Statements
Digital Tools & Technology 
FAQ
Judging rubric