Reflections: It’s All About the Arts

“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 Reflections Art Program.

Students can interpret the theme very broadly — for example through their family traditions, heritage, language, food, celebrations, community, values, places, stories, or experiences that make them feel connected to their culture.
They can submit original work in one of six categories:

1. Visual Arts
2. Photography
3. Literature
4. Film Production
5. Music Composition
6. Dance Choreography 

Main school milestones:

October 16: school submission deadline.

December: Reflections Showcase at the Walnut Creek Intermediate Library — final date to be confirmed.
After that, advancing entries can continue through the District, California State PTA, and potentially National PTA levels.

 Contact Sveta Lepikhova sveta@lepikhov.com for questions and more details.