Overview:
Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme may be submitted. 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 except in the Accessible Arts Division. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student only. See the specific Arts Category Rules for details. Each entry must contain a title, and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include a minimum of 10 words but may not exceed 100 words. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for recorded music in dance choreography and film production entries. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use of PowerPoint presentations are prohibited because most graphic elements are copyrighted. Only one entry per student is allowed.
Entries will be judged primarily on how well the student uses his or her artistic vision to portray the theme, originality and creativity. The National PTA Reflections® program makes no restrictions on content or subject matter in artwork. Under no condition may parents or students contact the judges to dispute the status of any entry.
California PTA specific guidelines:
(All participants must also follow Arts Category and Division Rules) — Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme may be submitted. 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 except in the Accessible Arts Division. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student only. See the specific Arts Category Rules for details. Each entry must contain a title, and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include a minimum of 10 words but may not exceed 100 words. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for recorded music in dance choreography and film production entries. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use of PowerPoint presentations are prohibited because most graphic elements are copyrighted.
ARTS CATEGORIES:
There are six arts categories and students may enter the Reflections program in one or more arts categories:
Dance Choreography: Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the original choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Entries with added graphics in the video are not accepted. If used, cite background music on the entry form (title, composer and performer). Videos must not exceed five minutes or 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte). Accepted file formats: MP4, MOV, AVI.
Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. All entries must include original student footage/media/material. PowerPoint/digital slide presentations are not allowed. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer. If used, cite background music on the entry form (title, composer and performer). Videos must not exceed five minutes or 1,000 MB. Accepted file formats: MP4, MOV, AVI.
Literature: Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: prose, poetry, reflective essay, screen play and play script, narrative and short story. Collections of literary work are not accepted. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is provided. Original illustrations are accepted, but only the writing is judged. Writing can be handwritten or typed (8.5x11, one-sided) and up to 2,000 words. Number pages. Accepted file format: PDF.
Music Composition: 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. Software may be used to produce an audio recording. Entries containing algorithmic composition techniques are not accepted. Audio recording is required and must not exceed five minutes or 1,000 MB. Accepted file formats: MP3, WAV. Notation (score/tablature/reflective statement) is required for middle and high school divisions only and does not replace the required entry artist statement. Accepted file format: PDF. See guidelines for accepted notation details. National PTA Reflections Program By submitting artwork to the National PTA Reflections Program, entrants accept and agree to be bound by the official rules for participation as well as the entry requirements for their specific arts category and division. Additional state program requirements may apply. Any violation of these rules may, at PTA’s discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the reviewers regarding this program are final and binding in all respects. (The “PTA” referred to in these rules include all PTAs reviewing the submission).
Photography: Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages, collections of photos and/or photos with added graphics are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques. Print images: between 3x5 to 8x10 inches. Digital images: at least 640x960 pixels and 300 dpi resolution. Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG.
Visual Arts: Works of both fine and design arts in 2D or 3D formats are accepted. See guidelines for specifics. 2D artworks must not exceed 24x30 inches, including matting and must include at least one digital image of artwork. 3D artwork must contain 3 digital images of artwork at different angles. Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG.
Please click here for an introduction to the guidelines, and click here for the full guidelines.
FAQs:
Should I put my name on my Reflections artwork?
It is strongly recommended that Reflections reviews are blind—where judges only see basic entry information such as the title, artist statement and, as necessary, the student’s age. As such, the student’s name and/or other identifying information should not be visible on or within the artwork that will be judged. Things to avoid include adding a credit scrolls in Film entries, recording introductions in a Music entry recording, providing a by-line in Literature entries. Student information will be collected through the required Student Entry Form.
What are your guidelines on using technology and software to create entries?
Digital technology and/or software can be used to develop, enhance and/or present an entry but may not provide the primary design and/or concept. Entrants must provide a brief description of the tools and method, including any generative elements. Additional state program requirements or exclusions may apply. Refer to your state’s Reflections website to ensure that you are participating in the program per their requirements.
Can a participant submit Reflections artwork created with a friend, teacher and/or adult?
Reflections encourages and recognizes individual creativity, so entries must be the creative product of the student artist alone. National PTA will recognize only one student as the award recipient for an entry, and they should be the primary creator of the piece—especially, the interpretation of the theme and the execution of the piece. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed. For specific questions regarding eligibility, refer to your state’s Reflections website to ensure that you are participating in the program per their requirements.
Can I submit an entry in a language other than English?
Students for whom English is not their first language may submit entries in their own language. However, an interpretive translation in English must accompany the entry. Translators should make every attempt to retain the same level of language and accuracy that is reflected in the student’s original work.
What are your guidelines on copyrighted materials?
The intention of the Reflections program is to encourage and showcase original artwork created by the student in response to the annual theme. Use of copyrighted material, including any copyrighted cartoon characters, copyrighted recorded music or copyrighted photographs, stock images or material downloaded from the internet, is not acceptable, except for the following:
Entries may include public places, well-known products, trademarks or certain other copyrighted material as long as that copyrighted material is incidental to the subject matter of the piece and/or is a smaller element of a whole. The resulting work cannot try to establish an association between the student and the trademark/business/material or influence the purchase/non-purchase of the trademarked good.
If background music is used in dance choreography and film production entries, it must be cited on the entry form. Use the Additional Details field to cite the title, composer, performer and/or the library or digital platform used. If certain details are not available, include as much general credit as possible to indicate that the materials are not the student's own creation.
Visual arts, photography and film production entries may include portions of existing copyrighted works, such as photographs, magazine or digital media clippings and/or type cut out of a newspaper, as long as those portions of copyrighted works are used to create a completely new and different work of art.
For specific questions regarding copyrighted materials, refer to your state’s Reflections website to ensure that you are participating in the program per their requirements.
Accessible arts questions:
What is the Accessible Arts division?
The division (previously the Special Artist division) was created in 2012 through collaboration between a PTA volunteer committee and arts professionals with expertise in disability advocacy in the arts. The Division offers division-specific accommodations to students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 to ensure every student has the chance to participate fully in the program. By participating in the division, students compete against other students in the Accessible Arts Division and are awarded as part of the division. To learn more visit our Craft an Entry page. For specific questions, refer to your state’s Reflections website to ensure that you are participating in the program per their requirements.
Why did the Accessible Arts division change names?
In April 2024, National PTA launched the Accessible Arts division as the replacement title for the Reflections Special Artist division. This change is in response to concern around the term “special” and based on feedback gathered from participants, volunteers and partner non-profit organizations. Moving forward with the title Accessible Arts division recognizes the importance of evolving how we talk about disability to align with and be more inclusive of people with disabilities.
I am supporting a student artist who is non-speaking and/or with limited language. How can they title their entry or write their artist statement without assistance?
They don’t have to do it alone! While prioritizing the student’s original ideas and concepts as reflected in the artwork they can provide collaborative support, guidance, etc. to help the student complete their piece and meet eligibility requirements. However, an assistant should not independently select a title or write the artist statement. Our guidelines indicate the following:
While the artist directs the process, assistants (a parent, teacher, other adult) may help with executing the artist's vision with typing, transcribing, etc.
We also recommend using the Additional Details section of the entry form to share context that highlights the student’s creative direction and how the assistant supported the process. The following is outlined in the division guidelines:
Use the “Additional Details” field to provide details about how the student’s disability and/or support needs impacted their entry (10 to 100 words, optional).
Within the division, when may students select grade-level division aligned to their support needs, rather than age?
Usually, students should enter the division that matches their current grade. Choosing a division based on support needs is meant for students with complex support needs or those over 18 who are still receiving school-based services and supported by a PTA.
If a different division feels more appropriate, the student, their family, and PTA leaders should talk it through and agree together. The division selected still be as close to the student’s actual grade level as possible and appropriate. For example, the student over 18 would select the high school division, or a freshman in high school might select the middle school division if appropriate. Exceptions can be made, but they should be intentional and clearly communicated among all parties involved.