National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.  Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life. 

Categories and Divisions

Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade: Primary (Pre-K – Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), Special Artist (All grades welcome).  If a student attends a school that does not sponsor the National PTA Reflections Program or if the student is part of a homeschool or virtual classroom, they may join any local PTA/PTSA in their area to submit an entry.  A selection of entries will then be advanced to the nearest County Council for judging. 

Student may submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories:

• Dance Choreography,

• Film Production,

• Literature,

• Music Composition,

• Photography, and

• Visual Arts.x

*Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Accessible Arts division or grade division most closely aligned to their support needs.

Download the Guidelines

Accessible Arts Guidelines	Spanish Accessible Arts Guidelines
Dance Choreography Guidelines	Spanish Dance Choreography Guidelines
Film Production Guidelines	Spanish Film Production Guidelines
Literature Guidelines	Spanish Literature Guidelines
Music Composition Guidelines	Spanish Music Composition Guidelines
Photography Guidelines	Spanish Photography Guidelines
Visual Arts Guidelines	Spanish Visual Arts Guidelines

Reflections Time Line (Tentative)

Sep. 3: Initial Interest Meeting at 8:00am in the Media Center. We’ll discuss categories, rules, and how to submit entries.

Sep. 6: Interest Meeting at 3:30pm in the Media Center. We’ll discuss categories, rules, and how to submit entries.

Sep. 26: Workshop Day 1 at 3:30pm. Students can bring in their in-process work and receive feedback from peers. Adults will be on hand to give feedback on artist statements. Location TBD

Oct. 21: Workshop Day 2 at 3:30pm. Students can bring in their in-process work and receive feedback from peers. Adults will be on hand to give feedback on artist statements. Location TBD

Nov. 8: Submissions due!

Nov. 15: Winners announced

Nov. 22: Winning entries will be sent on to County. Awards Celebration is being planned for this date.

Reflections Review Criteria

During the evaluation process, judges will consider the following criteria:

• Interpretation: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the work itself and the artist statement. 
• Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation. 
• Technique: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.

Student entries submitted to the Robinson PTSA that are awarded will go on to the district level. If they are award at district, they will be submitted at the state and potentially to the national level.

Submissions at the national level go through two rounds of review by arts professionals from across the country.

Of the national-level submissions, over 200 student Reflections participants will receive awards, prizes and recognition from National PTA. 

Crafting a Reflections Artist Statement

In Reflections, judges strongly consider the artist’s interpretation of the Reflections theme as shown in the student’s original artwork, title and artist statement. To best represent their creativity and originality, artists should create

• a title that stands out and describes how the piece relates to their personal interpretation of the theme
• an artist statement that further describes their theme interpretation and explores the creative process and decisions they made when making their art.

An artist statement should reflect the student’s age and/or support needs. Any support provided by an adult (e.g., teacher, parent, guardian) should be minimal and should not alter the student’s creative vision or process. 

Artists can consider the following when developing a title and artist statement: 

• Why did you choose to create your piece in the specific arts category you selected? 
• How does your work specifically relate to the theme? 
• Explore metaphors or allusions in your artwork to highlight complex or critical parts of your work.
• What is your personal connection to the theme? What/who was your inspiration? How do these connections show up in your art?
• Explain the creative decisions you made so your work would be unique to you and your interpretation of the theme.
• What tools, materials and methods did you use to create your work (e.g., supplies, technology, instrumentation, props, etc.)? What made you choose those items?