Reflections Art Competition
2020-2021 Reflections
Reflections is a National PTA arts recognition program that helps students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school, but in life.
Students in pre-K through grade 12 create original works of art in response to a theme. The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is I Matter Because… Students submit their completed works of art in one, or all, of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
Learn about how the theme was selected and how it can inspire young artists from National PTA President-Elect Anna King.
Students can also submit entries for the Reflections Theme contest. These are due Nov. 1st. and get submitted directly to the WSPTA office. National PTA is seeking a theme for the 2022-2023 Reflections program year. The student who submits the winning entry will receive $100 and his or her theme will be presented at the annual National PTA Convention in June 2021. Repeat themes will not be considered.
Students in pre-K through grade 12 create original works of art in response to a theme. The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is I Matter Because… Students submit their completed works of art in one, or all, of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
Learn about how the theme was selected and how it can inspire young artists from National PTA President-Elect Anna King.
Students can also submit entries for the Reflections Theme contest. These are due Nov. 1st. and get submitted directly to the WSPTA office. National PTA is seeking a theme for the 2022-2023 Reflections program year. The student who submits the winning entry will receive $100 and his or her theme will be presented at the annual National PTA Convention in June 2021. Repeat themes will not be considered.
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: Larissa Pfeifer
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Quick Guide
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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:
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.
- Primary -- Preschool - Grade 2
- Intermediate -- Grades 3 - 5
- Middle/Junior -- Grades 6 - 8
- Senior -- Grades 9 - 12
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). See the rules and guidelines here: https://www.wastatepta.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Special-Artist-Rules-20-21.pdf
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.
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:
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:
Awards of Merit – Up to 5 Awards per Division of Each Arts Area
Honorable Mentions – All Remaining Students Reaching National Level
Each Honorable Mention receives:
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.
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
- 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.
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/
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/