About Reflections

2006–2007 Theme:
“My Favorite Place”

2007–2008 Theme:
“I Can Make a Difference by...”

PTA believes that all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual Reflections Program. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to submit works of art in six arts areas: literature, dance choreography, film/video production, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which includes, but is not limited to, art forms such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage). In its more than 30-year history, the Reflections Program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore their artistic talents. The Reflections Program was created in 1969 by then Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson.

Each year, the Reflections Program challenges students to create art that relates to a specific theme. Themes are selected from thousands of ideas submitted by students to PTA's Reflections Program Theme Search. Past themes have included "A Different Kind of Hero," "If I Could Give the World A Gift...," "Imagine That...," and "Exploring New Beginnings...."

Students participate in the Reflections Program by submitting entries to a local PTA or PTSA. Any PTA/PTSA in good standing is eligible to sponsor a Reflections Program.

How to sponsor the Reflections Program

Rules and deadlines differ from state to state; contact your state PTA for information on how to sponsor a Reflections Program in your area.

A great learning experience

Creating art is a valuable learning process. Artistic exploration and expression enhance and develop intellectual, social, and technical skills. When children express themselves through words, pictures, music, photography, and other art forms, they grow intellectually. They learn to analyze their thoughts, feelings, and ideas; learn to look at things, people, and experiences in a fresh and exciting way; and become more interested in the ideas and works of others. PTA's Reflections Program helps parents recognize and encourage the continuous self-discovery process of their children.

The program is designed to enhance rather than replace a quality arts education. It provides opportunities for students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition for their artistic efforts.

Parents, teachers, and community members all play a critical role in fostering a positive learning environment for children. Supporting the Reflections Program is one way adults can help maintain that environment.

Participation

Young artists participate in the Reflections Program through a local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of the six arts areas listed below. Only original works of art are accepted. Depending on state and local PTA guidelines, students may enter more than one work of art.

Arts areas

  • Literature
  • Musical Composition
  • Photography
  • Visual Arts
  • Dance Choreography
  • Film/Video Production

Participation in the Reflections Program is organized by grade level. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artwork according to appropriate developmental age and skill levels.

Grade divisions

  • Primary (preschool–grade 2)
  • Intermediate (grades 3–5)
  • Middle/Junior (grades 6–8)
  • Senior (grades 9–12)

The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local, council, district, state, and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local level, where selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level--council, district, or state--depending on each state PTA's structure. Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select entries to submit to PTA on the national level. Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit are recognized at the annual PTA National Convention and displayed in a virtual gallery on PTA's website.

Possible judging levels

  • Local
  • Council
  • District
  • State
  • National

National recognition and honors

Professionals working in literature, musical composition, photography, dance, film, and visual arts volunteer to judge student entries at the national level. Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit are presented in each grade division in each arts area. In addition, one national Outstanding Interpretation award winner is chosen from among the Awards of Excellence recipients in each arts area.

The national Outstanding Interpretation award recipients demonstrate the most creative interpretations of the theme. These students receive a trip to the annual PTA National Convention for themselves and one adult chaperone. At the convention, the Outstanding Interpretation award recipients are recognized for their achievement and share their talents at a special awards presentation.
The commemorative gifts given by PTA vary each year; however, all national-level participants receive a letter and a certificate of participation from PTA.

The national PTA office returns all national award-winning photography and visual arts entries. State PTAs determine the artwork return policy for their states.

Notification

All state PTAs are notified of national award recipients in late April. PTA sends award notification letters directly to students.

General rules

Please remember that

  • Students may submit entries only through a PTA or PTSA in good standing.
  • All entries submitted must be original works and must relate to the year’s Reflections Program theme.
  • Each entry must be the work of only one student. Assistance from teachers, parents, or friends is not permitted except in special cases (such as students with visual or physical disabilities).
  • Participation encourages creativity and exploration. Students should do their best; however, crooked lines, incorrect musical notes, or misspelled words do not disqualify anyone.

A word to parents

As with any student activity, parent involvement and support are very important. But parents must remember that student artists need to be responsible for their own work. Children must make their own decisions about what to create and what to enter in the Reflections Program. By producing their own literature, musical compositions, photographs, film or video productions, dance routines, and visual art, children learn about the arts and, more importantly, they learn about themselves.

Supporting the Reflections Program is one way you can support the arts in your home, school, and community.

For more information

If you would like to know more about the Reflections Program, visit www.pta.org.