For Students and Families

Culture encompasses all that a group of people does that makes them similar to each other, but different from other people in the world. Culture does not stay the same but changes with new influences and generations. 

Culture is expressed through physical elements like food, clothing, music, and art, as well as non-physical elements like languages, holidays, and customs. It is found in quiet, everyday moments: the tradition of generations gathering for a family reunion; the way one’s name is pronounced; stories passed down from loved ones about a hometown hero; or values taught in a school community or on the football field.

“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 

Consider 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?

Certain artistic styles and mediums have unique and very special cultural connections. Encourage students to explore different cultural creative methods and experiment with combining styles to better express a unique interpretation of the theme. 

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

• Dance Choreography: Movement inspired by a family celebration, cultural tradition, personal journey or feeling of connection.

• Film Production: A short film about a person, place, tradition, memory or community that helps explain what culture means to the student.

• Literature: A poem, short story, essay or personal reflection about a name, family story, recipe, language, holiday, value or meaningful memory.

• Music Composition: Original music inspired by sounds, rhythms, instruments, songs or emotions connected to home, identity or community.

• 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.