Reflections Art Competition

2017-2018 Reflections Theme

Reflections is a National PTA and a Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose for this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their original works, created around a specific theme. You are encouraged to start working on your entry in Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts or in the Special Artist category. Please be sure to read the rules and guidelines for your specific area so that your artwork is eligible to move on through the judging process. Eligible entries will be judged and moved on to the Everett Council. Winning Everett Council entries will continue on to Washington State PTA competition with the opportunity to advance to the National PTA Reflections competition. Entry Forms are available below and on the Washington State PTA website. Questions? Contact: Denise Constantineau.

Click on the link for the following:

Quick Guide
for Jackson HS Participants

Only 1 submission per category will be accepted per student.
All entries must have the completed Student Entry Form from this website only and must be SIGNED by a parent or guardian and student.
Students should deliver their works to the JHS library by 2pm on Friday, Nov 10, 2017. No late entries will be accepted.
Please read and comply with the rules and guidelines of the competition so that your entry in not disqualified. There are changes each year, so it is important to review them even if you have entered before.

Program Details

Participation in Reflections is organized by student age and grade levels. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The grade divisions are:

Primary -- Preschool - Grade 2
Intermediate -- Grades 3 - 5
Middle/Junior -- Grades 6 - 8
Senior -- Grades 9 - 12

Entries are judged on creative ability and interpretation of the theme. The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local, council, state, and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local level and selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level. If a PTA is a member of a council, they will send the chosen entries to the council program according to the guidelines established by their council. If a PTA is not a member of a council, they will submit their entries directly to Washington State PTA.

Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select up to four entries in each of the six arts areas (a total of 24) to submit to the National PTA. National first, second, and third place, and honorable mention entries are recognized at the National PTA Annual Convention.

All PTAs/PTSAs in good standing may sponsor the Reflections Program. Students may only submit entries through a PTA/PTSA. Parent groups not affiliated with the National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program.

Special Artist Division

The National PTA special artist division is an option for students with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Generally, rules and guidelines within the special artists division are intended to ensure accessibility to the National PTA Reflections® program and are modeled after the guidelines outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Who qualifies as a disabled individual under the law?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an individual with a disability as a person who:
(1) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that person;
(2) Has a record of such an impairment; or (3) Is regarded as having such impairment. Students who identify as having a disability have two ways to enter the National PTA Reflections® program:

Option 1. Enter in special artist division: Qualifying students entering this non-graded division create their own artwork, but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. At the national level, one special artist from across all arts categories will be selected to receive an Outstanding Interpretation award. Up to five additional special artists may be selected to receive national Awards of Excellence.

Option 2. Enter in traditional grade divisions: Qualifying students follow all arts category rules, and may not receive assistance other than that which is allowed for all children, but do receive accommodation to submit Reflections entries in the grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. They are recognized and awarded prizes as part of the general student population without regard to special needs or challenges.

National Awards and Recognition

Outstanding Interpretation Awards – 1 Award per Arts Category and 1 in Special Artist Division
Each Outstanding Interpretation Award recipient receives:

An expense-paid trip for him- or herself and one adult to the National PTA Convention
An $800 arts education award from National PTA
A gold-plated Reflections medallion
A certificate and letter signed by the National PTA president
Recognition in the annual PTA Reflections online gallery

In addition:

A $200 arts education award is given to the student’s local PTA by National PTA

Awards of Excellence – 3 Awards per Division of Each Arts Area and 1 Special Artist of Each Arts Area
Each Award of Excellence recipient receives:

A $200 cash award
A silver-plated Reflections medallion
A certificate and letter signed by the National PTA President
Recognition in the annual PTA Reflections online gallery

Awards of Merit – Up to 5 Awards per Division of Each Arts Area

Each Award of Merit recipient receives:
A silver-plated Reflections medallion
A certificate and letter signed by the National PTA president
Recognition in the annual PTA Reflections online gallery

Honorable Mentions – All Remaining Students Reaching National Level
Each Honorable Mention receives:

A certificate and letter signed by the National PTA president

Notification to Students
National award recipients will be notified via email by National PTA in May. National awards and certificates
are mailed after the National PTA Convention, by the end of July. Any awards or certificates returned to the
National PTA office due to insufficient or incorrect addresses will be mailed to the appropriate state office.

Return of Artwork
Entries that receive national awards will be featured in the online National PTA Reflections Program Gallery
at PTA.org/Reflections. The National PTA will make every effort to return photograph prints and visual
artwork within two years. The National PTA office receives electronic files/digital entries in film production,
dance choreography, literature, music composition, and photography and these are not returned. Please
contact your State PTA for its artwork return policy.

12 Reasons to Support Arts Education

The arts develop higher-order thinking skills.
The arts can increase cooperation, tolerance of diverse values and viewpoints, and understanding of cultures past and present.
The arts enhance the learning, working, and playing environment.
The arts improve low self-esteem, a major factor in learning difficulties, the dropout rate, teenage suicide, violence, substance abuse, and crime.
The arts engage a variety of learning styles and offer all children avenues for academic success, including children with disabilities and limited English proficiency.
The arts integrate basic neurological functions and aid student learning in other subject areas.
The arts enhance students’ creativity and increase creative thinking and problem solving abilities.
The arts access a variety of human intelligences.
The arts develop skills that prepare students for the work force.
The arts assist in developing public images in the corporate world.
The arts in the schools and community can attract new business to the area.
The arts enrich our souls and free our spirits.

~Getty Institute for the Enrichment of the Arts

References and Links of Interest

Washington State PTA Reflections Info Page (Includes rules in electronic format)
http://www.wastatepta.org/programs/reflections/index.html

Young Arts - an NFAA program
http://www.artsawards.org/

Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
http://www.artandwriting.org/

AP Studio Art Information
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_studioart.html

The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities
http://www.pcah.gov

The Arts Education Partnership
http://aep-arts.org/