Overview                                         

National PTA Reflections is America’s oldest and largest arts education program of its kind. The program was developed in 1969 by Colorado’s PTA President Mary Lou Anderson to encourage students to explore their talents and express themselves. Since then, the Reflections Program has inspired millions of students to reflect on a specific theme and create original artwork. You can learn more here.

The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. Students submit their completed works of art in one, or more, of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, or Visual Arts.

 

Reflections 2022-23 Information

This year's theme is "Show Your Voice"

Entries Due Wednesday, November 2nd!

Email here for questions or to submit!

 

Program Details

Young artists get involved in Reflections through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. Please follow the specific guidelines for each art area. The six artistic categories are:

    • Literature -- works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.
    • Music Composition -- original musical composition, with or without words.
    • Photography – A single photo, panoramic, photomontage (one print of multiple original photos), a multiple exposure, negative sandwich or photogram. Original black-and- white and color images are accepted. 
    • Visual Arts -- Architecture (2D/3D), carpentry, ceramics, collages, photographic collages (multiple photos cut/pasted), computer-generated image, crafts, design, dioramas, drawing, fiber work, jewelry, kites, metal etching/punch work, mobiles, painting, printmaking, sculpture and wind chimes.
    • Film/Video -- original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.
    • Choreography/Dance -- originally choreographed dance composition

Special Artists

The Special Artist Division is a non-graded division limited to students whose physical, cognitive or mental health challenges meet the guidelines set forth in the American Disabilities Act. Qualifying students entering this division create their own artwork but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. At the national level, one Special Artist from across all arts categories will be selected to receive an Outstanding Interpretation Award. Up to five additional Special Artists may be selected to receive national Awards of Excellence. Find out more info here.