Reflections

National PTA believes all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual arts Reflections Program. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to create and submit works of art in four areas: literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage). In its more than 30-year history, the program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to create works of art. The Reflections Program was started in 1969 by then Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson.

Students participate in the Reflections Program by submitting entries to their local PTA or PTSA. Any PTA/PTSA in good standing is eligible to sponsor a Reflections Program.

Rules and deadlines are not the same for all PTAs. Contact your state PTA for specific guidelines.

Five Reasons to Run the PTA Reflections Program

1. Students need more opportunities to create works of art for fun and recognition, and the Reflections Program provides an outlet for students to creatively explore what they are learning in the classroom.
2. The Reflections Program is run by parent volunteers, thereby providing another opportunity to involve parents in their children’s education.
3. Participation in the Reflections Program gives students a chance to experiment in the arts.
4. When children express themselves through words, pictures, music, dance, film, and other art media, they grow intellectually; they learn to analyze their thoughts and feelings.
5. The Reflections Program helps parents recognize, support, and enhance their children’s continuous process of self-discovery.

View the 2007 Reflections Gallery

Steps to Getting Started