Rules

General Participation Rules

PLEASE read the rules carefully - we'd hate to see a great piece of artwork disqualified because it didn't meet the right criteria!

• Entries must be submitted using our online entry form.  The deadline for entries is Friday October 24, 2025.

• Students may submit multiple entries in more than one arts category.  There must be a separate entry form submission for each entry (piece of artwork).

• Artwork MUST BE ORIGINAL and created for the purpose of THIS CONTEST and THIS YEAR'S THEME.

• Only ONE STUDENT may create the work and be recognized as the award recipient, but other individuals may appear in the artwork itself (e.g. in performance categories). 

• GENERAL PARTICIPATION AND SPECIFIC CATEGORY RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED!  These can be found in the documents below - read them!!

• In the interests of anonymous judging, please do NOT include your name on your artwork!  We will be able to identify your work from the file(s) uploaded with your entry.

Dance Choreography Rules

Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. 

Submit your entry as a VIDEO using the file upload feature on this year's entry form (not on CD/DVD/flash drive this year).

• File must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. 

• Accepted formats: AVI, MP4.

For full details of rules and guidelines, please refer to the documents below. 

Film Production Rules

Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form.

Submit your entry as a VIDEO using the file upload feature on this year's entry form (not on CD/DVD/flash drive this year).

• File must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. 

• Accepted formats: AVI, MP4.

For full details of rules and guidelines, please refer to the documents below. 

Literature Rules

Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, reflective essay, screenplay and play script, narrative, and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. 

Submit your entry as a PDF file using the file upload feature on this year's entry form (not on paper/CD/DVD/flash drive this year). 

• Must not exceed 2,000 words. 

• Must be typed. 

• Format for single-sided print on 8 1⁄2” x 11” paper. 

• PDF file. 

For full details of rules and guidelines, please refer to the document attached below. 

Music Composition Rules

All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. 

Submit your entry as an AUDIO FILE using the file upload feature on this year's entry form (not on CD/DVD/flash drive this year).

• File must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. 

• Accepted formats: MP3, WAV

• Notation is required for middle and high school divisions. 

• Score/tablature/notation in PDF format 

The score/tablature/notation is REQUIRED for middle/high school entries.  There are many programs and apps out there that can help you prepare this.  Please contact Mrs. Crompton if you have difficulty finding one. 

For full details of rules and guidelines, please refer to the document attached below. 

Photography Rules

Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. 

Submit your entry as a DIGITAL IMAGE using the file upload feature on this year's entry form (not on CD/DVD/flash drive this year).

• Dimensions must be at least 640 x 960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). 

• Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG. 

For full details of rules and guidelines, please refer to the document attached below. 

Visual Arts Rules

Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to:

architectural drawing and models, ceramics, collage, computer generated images and graphics, crafts, drawing, fashion clothes and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, painting, printmaking and sculpture.

Submit your entry as THREE DIGITAL IMAGES using the file upload feature on this year's entry form (not on CD/DVD/flash drive this year).

• Submit 3 digital images of your artwork from different angles, to capture the overall effect of the piece and to highlight particular details.  

• Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. 

For full details of rules and guidelines, please refer to the document attached below. 

Accessible Arts Rules

The Accessible Arts Division is for students who identify as having a disability and who may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504.  This division welcomes students from ALL grades and offers non‐artistic accommodations in order for students to participate fully in Reflections. Alternatively, these students may choose to forgo the non‐artistic accommodations and enter in the traditional grade division most closely aligned with their functional ability. 

For full details of rules and guidelines, please refer to the document attached below.