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The Reflections Arts Recognition Program is a national arts recognition and achievement program for students. Since 1969, over 10 million students across the nation have taken part in this popular PTA program. The excitement and enthusiasm that the program generates for students, parents, schools and communities is unmatched with the majority of California PTAs participating in the program at all PTA levels.
“Accepting Imperfection”
That’s the theme for the 2024-25 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.
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 within their appropriate divisions.
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.
IMPORTANT REFLECTION DATES:
Local entry submission due dates vary depending on where you live. Please reach out to your PTA unit and council to inquire about your local due dates, which are generally in the fall of each year. The 10th District Submission Date is Monday, December 2, 2024.
If you are a STUDENT – Contact your School Reflections Chair for your school submission date.
If you are a SCHOOL REFLECTIONS CHAIR:
- In a PTA Council School – Contact your PTA Council Reflections Chair for your PTA Council submission date.
- In an Out-of-Council PTA School – You will submit directly to the 10th District by December 2, 2024.
DIVISIONS
Training Videos
To allow student artworks to be recognized and judged with the appropriate developmental age and skill levels in mind, the Reflections Program is organized by school grade, offering 5 divisions:
- Primary (PreK-Grade 2)
- Intermediate (Grades 3-5)
- Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- High School (Grades 9-12)
- Special Artist (All Grades)
Special Artist Division
The Special Artist Division is a non-graded division limited to students whose physical, cognitive or mental health challenges meet the guidelines in the American Disabilities Act. Qualifying students create their own artwork, but they may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult.
Get Your Program Started: How to Run a Successful Reflections Program
Aug 22, 2023
Link to video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1umOBtyWsmb6kYr6SujZ9FMIdktvLsvPY/view?usp=drive_link
Link to slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sIkrvqYrwS6uDKWVSq5t93TQn0ZRElPR/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=108148529636304319955&rtpof=true&sd=true
Link to Q&A sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hM8BYI64rFyJx9Pp_wG7Fzt4LmVV0jzw/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=108148529636304319955&rtpof=true&sd=true
Virtual Form Training
Aug 29, 2023
Link to video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GozUKc_jXQbuMcP39sIvfQHJ_PLdNki5/view?usp=drive_link
Resources
Annual Theme Search
4Each 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 entries between September 1, 2024 and 5:00 pm on November 1, 2023.