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Reflections Arts Program

National PTA Reflections Awards

Each year, students in Pre-K through Grade 12 are invited to create and submit original works of art in the areas of Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts. Based on State PTA rules and guidelines, these works of art may be submitted for state and national level awards and recognition opportunities.

 

Selection Criteria

Student entries submitted to the national level go through two rounds of review by esteemed arts professionals across the country. During the evaluation process, judges will consider the following criteria:

  1. Interpretation: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the work itself and the artist statement. 
  2. Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation. 
  3. Technique: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.

Judges strongly consider the interpretation of the Reflections theme during the evaluation process. It is suggested that students give their submissions a title that stands out and describes how the piece relates to the student’s personal interpretation of the theme. The following guiding questions can be useful when developing a title and artist statement: 

Arts Categories

Dance Choreography

Dance Choreography


Film

Film Production


Literature

Literature


Music

Music Composition


Photography

Photography


Visual Arts

Visual Arts


  • How does your work relate to the theme?
  • What is your personal connection to the theme?
  • What did you use to create your work (e.g., supplies, technology, instrumentation, props, etc.)?
  • What/who was your inspiration?

State PTAs are able, but not required, to submit 30 entries in total to the national level for review - one entry per arts category, per division. Of the national-level submissions, over 200 student Reflections participants will receive the following awards from National PTA:

  • Merit Award: Bronze Medal; Certificate of Merit; Work featured in the traveling exhibition
  • Award of Excellence: $200 Young Artist Scholarship; Silver Medal; Certificate of Excellence; Work featured in the traveling exhibition
  • Outstanding Interpretation Award: $800 Young Artist Scholarship; Gold Medal; Certificate of Outstanding Interpretation; Work featured in the traveling exhibition; $200 Prize for Local PTA Unit

National PTA celebrates the national Reflections winners and their artwork starting May 1 through the following calendar year. We feature our Outstanding Interpretation winners during National PTA’s Convention in June and select featured artists at the Reflections Student Arts Showcase in January. 


Congratulations to the 2019-2020 Look Within Reflections Winners

Congratulations to the National winners from the 2019-2020 Look Within Reflections program. Share your celebrations with this press release and blog post using #PTAReflections.


View Winners


Take a look at these videos celebrating the 2019-2020 National Reflections awardees’ achievements in the arts.



Reflections Coloring Book

Encourage artistic creativity at home! You can print these Reflections-themed pages to color by hand, or you can save the coloring pages and open them with your favorite paint app on your computer. Share your completed colorful creations using #PTAReflections!

Coloring Book (includes all 6 categories)

Reflections Coloring Book

Coloring Pencils
Bonus "All Categories" Coloring Page

All Categories

Coloring Pencils
Individual Coloring Pages


Virtual Exhibit: 2019-2020 Look Within Awardees

Check out the virtual exhibit showcasing the National Reflections awardees for the 2019-2020 Reflections year, Look Within.  

Visual Arts


Visual Arts Awardees

Photography


Photography Awardees



Dance Choreography


Dance Choreography Awardees

Film Production


Film Production Awardees



Literature


Literature Awardees

Music Composition


Music Composition Awardees





Annual Theme Search Contest

Students can participate in the Annual Theme Search Contest according to their State PTA Reflections Program guidelines. Through our annual search process, one winning student's theme will inspire the hundreds of thousands of student artists that participate in the Reflections program. The winning student will also receive a $100 award and national recognition. View the past 50+ years of winning themes.

2020-2021 Theme

The 2020-2021 Reflections theme is I Matter Because... Thanks to Rylee Stier, from Burney Elementary School PTA in Burney, California, for her winning submission!

2021-2022 Theme

The 2021-2022 Reflections theme is I Will Change the World By… submitted by Lydia Keel from Spanish Fork Junior High School PTSA in Utah. Congratulations, Lydia!

2022-2023 Theme

Congratulations to the most recent winner of the Annual Theme Search Contest, Jason Yevin, from Salk/Macarthur PTSA in New York. We thank Jason and New York State PTA for the 2022-2023 Reflections theme: Show Your Voice!

We can’t wait to see how these student-created themes will inspire Reflections artwork in the years ahead!



Annual Mary Lou Anderson ArtsEd Grant   

Congratulations to the Spring 2021 Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grantees:

Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grantees

To learn more about this opportunity, visit our ArtsEd Resources.




REFLECTIONS HOME

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