PTA Reflections Program

What is the Reflections Program?

The Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program. Students in preschool through grade 12 participate in the arts areas of literature, musical composition, photography, and visual arts. Age divisions are pre-school through grade 2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. The Reflections Program provides a venue for students to create and be recognized for original works of art based on a pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education.

The Reflections Program was established in 1969 by National PTA board member Mary Lou Anderson. Since that time, more than 10 million students have participated in the program. The program’s longevity and participation figures attest to its strength. The excitement and enthusiasm that the program generates for children, parents, schools, and communities is unmatched.

The goal of the Reflections Program is participation, not winning. Although the program follows a “contest” format, winning should be the emphasis. Arts in education chairs should remember that all children are gifted and talented; the Reflections Program can give children who have never tried creating a work of art a chance to experiment and feel good about their work.

General Rules

Theme

Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme are acceptable.

Student Eligibility

Students must participate in the Reflections Program through a PTA in good standing. A student may develop an entry in or outside of school.

Grade Divisions

Students may enter the Reflections Program in the appropriate division for their grade. The divisions at the Elementary school level are:

Primary: Preschool – Grade 2

Intermediate – Grades 3 – 5

Art Areas

Students may submit works in any of the four arts areas:

Literature

Musical Composition

Photography

Visual Arts

Originality

Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited.

Entry Form

All participants are required to fill out and sign the OFFICAL ENTRY FORM in its entirety.

Deadlines

Judging

Judges review entries based upon creativity, artistic merit, and interpretation of the theme. The PTA determines the judges for the program. They look for people in the community with expertise and background in the arts. Judges are unpaid volunteers. All decisions of judges are final.

Additional Rules

In addition the general participation rules, there are specific rules to follow for each art area/category.