Education Through Art
I Short Story Contest| My Migration Story
2024-2025
The Maldonado Education Through Art Foundation (META Miami) seeks to connect the Miami community with international cultural foundations and institutions to advance cultural development. In alignment with this mission, META Miami signed a cooperation agreement with the Fundación Internacional para la Libertad through the Cátedra Vargas Llosa, which fosters a love for literature through storytelling and creative writing. This partnership led to the creation of the My Migration Story contest.
Although the contest has national aspirations, it begins with a local focus on Miami—a vibrant multicultural city shaped by the intersection of diverse cultures. Miami’s unique role as a melting pot of immigration and cultural exchange makes it an ideal starting point for this initiative. The contest aims to strengthen students' literacy skills while fostering family dialogue, deepening their understanding of cultural roots, and emphasizing the value of sharing across cultures to build community. It also integrates modern technology and communication practices to encourage creativity and literacy in today's digital world.
Endorsed by the Miami-Dade Board of Public Schools on December 17, 2022, the contest is a testament to the powerful collaboration between educational institutions and cultural organizations. It reflects a shared commitment to inspiring the next generation of writers and thinkers within the community.
The sponsoring organizations, Cátedra Vargas Llosa and META Miami, have joined forces to rally support from key local stakeholders, recognizing the importance of community engagement in achieving their vision. They have engaged influential partners, including The Miami Herald, Argus Capital, eLibro, and Ole Interactive, leveraging their networks to enhance the contest's reach and impact. This strategic alliance demonstrates a collective dedication to advancing literary and educational initiatives across Miami-Dade. By uniting expertise, resources, and a shared passion for cultural enrichment, these organizations are empowering youth and fostering a thriving cultural landscape.
Our Sponsors
My Migration Story
2025-2026
The My Migration Story contest is intricately designed to align with the overarching goals of Cátedra Vargas Llosa, aiming not only to promote literary expression but also to cultivate and enhance writing skills among the young demographic of Miami-Dade County. This initiative is driven by a commitment to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and communication among youth, which are central to Cátedra Vargas Llosa's mission to promote cultural and educational enrichment.
The contest is born with a national ambition, yet its initial focus is on Miami, recognizing it as the crucible of immigration and cultural diversity. This strategic decision stems from the understanding that Miami serves as a microcosm of the broader American experience, making it an ideal starting point for such an endeavor.
With the formal endorsement received from the Miami-Dade Board of Public Schools on December 17, 2022, the contest stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between educational institutions and cultural organizations, exemplifying the shared dedication to empowering the next generation of writers and thinkers in the community.
The sponsoring institutions, Cátedra Vargas Llosa and META Miami, embarked on a collaborative endeavor to garner support from influential local entities, recognizing the importance of community engagement and partnership in realizing their shared vision. Leveraging their networks and outreach efforts, they reached out to prominent local leaders and organizations, such as The Miami Herald, Argus Capital, eLibro, and History Miami Museum. This strategic alliance underscores a collective commitment to advancing literary and educational initiatives within the Miami-Dade region, harnessing the expertise, resources, and reach of diverse stakeholders to maximize impact and outreach. By fostering collaboration across sectors, these sponsoring institutions demonstrate a commitment to a vibrant cultural landscape and to empowering youth through education and creativity.
Moving forward, the success of the 2025-2026 edition—with its vibrant participation from 174 students from 2 schools—only solidifies the contest's role as a vital platform for young people to share their voices and weave the next chapter in Miami's diverse, ongoing narrative.
Our Sponsors
Dream it.
At META Miami, we believe art has the power to drive change, especially during times of socio-political uncertainty, climate challenges, and economic inequality. Art fosters creativity, critical thinking, and empathy and is vital for addressing social issues.
Collaboration between educators, artists, and scientists is essential to find creative solutions to these challenges.
Educating through art is crucial for building a more inclusive, responsible, and innovative society.
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