Students! Submit your work to the first-ever Teen TEI Symposium & Showcase! This unique teen-designed, teen-led showcase celebrates the voices and creativity of Los Angeles high school students! Showcasing work that explores the impact of women in Los Angeles, submitted projects may focus on a specific person or take a broader approach to representing women in Los Angeles.

‍

Submit visual art, performances, spoken word, or short presentations — in any medium that shares a student’s perspective and story! We are looking for submissions from students all across Los Angeles of any gender identity who feel connected to this theme. Work will be reviewed and curated by our paid summer high school interns in collaboration with Ebell staff.

‍

About the Event

The Ebell Institute (TEI) amplifies the untold stories of women who have shaped Los Angeles — stories too often left out of history books and public discourse. For the first time, TEI is expanding into an additional teen-designed, teen-led symposium and showcase that invites high school students to respond to that legacy with their own original work: your voice, your perspective, your story.
‍
‍

Guiding Question: How have women—and those expanding what womanhood means—shaped the past, present, or future of Los Angeles?
‍
‍

Who Can Apply

- Currently residing in Los Angeles County

- Enrolled in any accredited high school program

- Open to all gender identities

- Individual or group submissions welcome

- Rising 9th–12th graders (entering fall 2026)

‍

What to Submit

Submit work that responds to the guiding question in a way that feels meaningful to you. For example, this could be a research presentation about a specific individual, an art piece inspired by a community, a song reflecting on gender identity, or any other format you believe fits.
‍

Submissions do not need to be fully complete at this stage, and you may submit a sample. Please share what you have and describe any additions or revisions you would plan to make before the Teen TEI Symposium & Showcase, if selected.

‍
‍

Please note that, regardless of submission format or medium, you may be asked to present your work or discuss it during the event.

‍

- Performance (dance, music, theatre, or multidisciplinary work) — max 15 min, submitted as a video file or link; applicant can include a file if written work is involved as well

- Research Presentation or Talk— max 15 min, can be submitted as a written file or video presentation  ‍

- Spoken Word / Poetry — max 15 min, can be submitted as an audio or video file or written text.  

- Visual Art (painting, photography, digital art, mixed media) — up to 5 high-quality JPG or PNG images; include title, medium, and dimensions

- Written Work (essay, narrative, or hybrid creative writing) — max 10 pages, PDF format preferred

‍

How to Submit

‍

Complete the online submission form, which will ask for:

- Student info and school affiliation

- Project title and short description (150–300 words)

- Upload submission in the appropriate format

- Artist statement (up to 250 words)

- Parent or guardian contact information and confirmation of parent permission to submit and participate

‍

Group Submissions

If you are planning to submit as a group, please fill out the form above as usual. Please ensure that all group names are included when prompted. If selected, we will gather parent or guardian signatures from each group member. The submission guidelines above, including timeframes for presentations or performances, remain the same, regardless of group size.
‍

Submission form: click here

‍

Key Dates

- June 1, 2026 at 5:00 pm PST — Submission deadline

- July 2026 — Selections announced; selections curated by Ebell student interns in collaboration with Ebell staff

- August 5, 2026 — Teen TEI Symposium & Showcase, in person in Los Angeles ( approximately 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, exact timing TBD)

‍

Questions? Email our Membership & Programs Manager, Amelia Comer, at amelia@ebellofla.org.


While we welcome all projects, submission does not guarantee selection for the showcase, as final inclusion will depend on the volume of submissions and the chosen curation theme.
‍

All work must be original and created by the submitting student(s). Submissions created fully or partially using AI (e.g., AI-generated artwork, writing, music, or designs) are not eligible. Submission does not guarantee selection — final inclusion depends on submission volume and the curatorial vision developed by the student intern team. Selected participants must be available to present in person on August 4, 2026.