Reflections

Five decades. Ten million students. And you! 

REFLECTIONS: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ARTS

“I Belong!”

That’s the theme for the 2025-26 Reflections Art Program, which has been bringing the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. California State PTA and its members, families and kids are on the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education.

Reflections encourages students of all ages to:

• Unleash creative talents and be inspired

• Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork

• Experience the fun and joy of making art

• Tap into critical thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme

• Receive positive recognition for their original works of art.

Click here to see the California winners of the 2024-2025 Reflections Art Program.

PARTICIPATION IS EASY, EXCITING AND EMPOWERING

All students attending PTA schools sponsoring the program are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:

• Dance Choreography

• Literature

• Photography

• Film Production

• Music Composition

• Visual Arts

Artworks are submitted first to school-level PTAs, where they are first recognized, celebrated and judged by five grade-level divisions, the Accessible Arts division celebrates student artists with special needs. School PTAs then choose a selection of entries to be judged by local PTA units, which are then sent on to councils and then districts for consideration. The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit. Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.

State-level Outstanding Interpretation honorees receive:

• Onstage recognition at the California State PTA Annual Convention

• The opportunity to showcase their artwork at the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery

• Prizes including an Outstanding Interpretation plaque, award and certificate

State-level Award of Excellence honorees receive:

• The opportunity to showcase their artwork at the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery

• Prizes including an Award of Excellence medallion, award and certificate

State-level Award of Merit honorees receive:

• The opportunity to showcase their artwork at the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery

• Prizes including an Award of Merit medallion and certificate

National-level Outstanding Interpretation honorees are recognized at the National PTA Convention, plus their artwork, along with any National Award of Excellence and Merit winners, are featured in Reflections’ popular traveling national exhibit. See the winners.

ANNUAL THEME SEARCH

Each year, students are invited to submit themes for the annual Reflections Art Program that will inspire young artists to create original works.

Submit your Theme search entries between August 18, 2025 and 5:00 pm, November 1, 2025.