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Reflections Arts Program

National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøReflections 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. Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2); Intermediate (Grades 3-5); Middle School (Grades 6-8); High School (Grades 9-12); and Accessible Arts** (All grades welcome). 

Based on State ºÚÁϳԹÏÍørules and guidelines, these works of art may be submitted for state and national level awards and recognition opportunities.

**Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Accessible Arts Division (formerly the Special Artist division) or grade division most closely aligned to their support needs.

DanceFilmLiteratureMusicPhotographyVisual ArtsSpecial Education

National Level Reflections Review and Awards

 

Reflections Awards and Prizes


After two rounds of national level review, National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøawards over 200 student artists with national-level Awards of Excellence and Merit and honors seven students with the top Outstanding Interpretation Award. 


National level winners are announced on May 1 each year. Direct communication is provided to winning student artists by National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøto share notice of the awards and outline prizes. Based on their award, student artists receive the prizes outlined below: 

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

Reflections Review Criteria


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

  • Interpretation: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the work itself and the artist statement. 

  • Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation. 

  • Technique: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.

Of the national-level submissions, over 200 student Reflections participants will receive awards, prizes and recognition from National PTA.

Accepting Imperfection Reflections Awards


National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøwill announce the 2024-2025 national winners on May 1 via our website and social media. Winners will be contacted directly by National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøat the email provided on their Reflections entry form.

Questions? Visit your state PTA's Reflections webpage or contact your state PTA for inquiries about state-level or other competition levels (local, district, council).

Accepting Imperfection

Crafting a Reflections Artist Statement


In Reflections, judges prioritize the artist's interpretation of the theme, as expressed through their original artwork, title and artist statement. All entries must include an artist statement and title to advance to the national level. To showcase creativity and originality, artists should:

  • Create a standout title that clearly connects to their personal interpretation of the theme.
  • Write an artist statement that elaborates on their theme interpretation and details their creative process and decisions.

An artist statement should reflect the student's age and/or support needs. Any support provided by an adult (e.g., teacher, parent, guardian) should be minimal and should not alter the student's creative vision or process. 

Artists can consider the following when developing a title and artist statement
  • Why did you choose to create your piece in the specific arts category you selected?

  • How does your work specifically relate to the theme?

  • Explore metaphors or allusions in your artwork to highlight complex or critical parts of your work.
  • What is your personal connection to the theme? What/who was your inspiration? How do these connections show up in your art?

  • Explain the creative decisions you made so your work would be unique to you and your interpretation of the theme.

  • What tools, materials and methods did you use to create your work (e.g., supplies, technology, instrumentation, props, etc.)? What made you choose those items?


2023-2024 I am Hopeful Because... Reflections Awards

 

Congratulations Reflections Winners!


From 45 state ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøcongresses, National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøreceived over 900 student entries inspired by the 2023-2024 Reflections theme I am Hopeful Because.... Of those submissions, we are thrilled to recognize over 200 student artists with Awards of Excellence and Merit and honor seven students with the top Outstanding Interpretation Award. 

Explore the full list of awardees and join us in congratulating all 200+ national-level Reflections winners.

 

Watch Now


With so many talented artists to celebrate, National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøacknowledges and highlights our Reflections winners throughout the school year. Check out both our virtual celebration events for the 2023-2024 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøReflections national winners. Each event also recognized all national winners throughout the show and in the scrolling credits. 
 
Outstanding Interpretation Winner Celebration
During this  we heard the seven student artists who achieved the Award of Outstanding Interpretation for their creative exploration of the theme "I am Hopeful Because..."

 

2025 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøReflections Students Arts Showcase

In this  continuing our celebration of the national-level "I am Hopeful Because..." winners we hear from a selection of student artists who share with us their creative inspiration and perspective on the value of hope.



Explore the Virtual Exhibit

Check out our recognizing all national-level award winning artwork submitted in the 2023-2024 "I am Hopeful Because..." National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøReflections program.

Use the arrows to move through each album or head to .

Dance Choreography 

Film Production 

Literature 

Music Composition 

Visual Arts 

Photography 



Previous National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøReflections Student Arts Celebrations

 

2022-2023 Show Your Voice! Reflections Program


The  honors the top seven national winners from the 2022-2023 Show Your Voice! Reflections program.

The  featured over 20 short interviews with select student artists—and a few special guests—discussing their award-winning artwork from the 2022-2023 Show Your Voice! Reflections program

2021-2022 I Will Change the World By... Reflections Program


The  honors the top seven national winners from the 2021-2022 I Will Change the World By... Reflections program.

The  featured a selection of artists and recognized all our national-level winning artists from the 2021-2022 National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøReflections program, I Will Change the World By...

2020-2021 I Matter Because... Reflections Program


The 2021 National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøConvention  celebrates the Outstanding Interpretation Reflections winners for the 2020-2021 I Matter Because... Reflections program.

The  celebrates a selection of Reflections national winners from the 2020-2021 I Matter Because... program. National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøis also proud to provide the .
   



Annual Theme Search Contest

  

Congratulations 2024 Reflections Theme Search Winner!

The most recent winner of the Annual Theme Search Contest is Sophia Partola from Wilton High School PTSA in Connecticut! Sophia's submission, What My Culture Means to Me will be the 2026-2027 Reflections theme. Stay tuned for more information about Sophia and her winning submission!
Help Inspire a Future Reflections Program

Every year, National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøhosts our annual Reflections Theme Search Contest to select one student theme to inspire student artists as they participate in a future ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøReflections program. The national winning student will receive a $100 award and national recognition. Themes are selected two years in advance.   

We’re looking for the most original theme ideas, so past themes and duplicate submissions will not be considered. Explore the past 50+ years of winning themes for reference and inspiration! 

How to Participate

Students can participate and submit entries following the process and guidelines outlined by their state PTA. Each state ºÚÁϳԹÏÍømay submit up to five student-created themes to National PTA by 11:59 p.m. PST on December 1. National ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøonly consider entries submitted by state PTAs. 

For details around how to participate, including when and how to submit entries, interested participants, parents or PTAs should reach out to their state ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøor visit their state ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøReflections webpage. 

Current and Upcoming Themes


  

2024-2025 Theme
Thanks to Paige Opaska from Barbara Bush Middle School ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøin Texas who submitted the 2024-2025 Reflections theme Accepting Imperfection.  to meet Paige and learn about her inspiration. 

2025-2026 Theme
The 2023 Annual Theme Search Contest winner was Ben Morgan from Lewis and Clark Middle School PTSA in Idaho! Ben’s submission, I Belong! will be the 2025-2026 Reflections theme.  about Ben and the inspiration behind the theme.

2026-2027 Theme
Congratulations to the most recent winner of the Annual Theme Search Contest: Sophia Partola from Wilton High School PTSA in Connecticut! Sophia's submission, What My Culture Means to Me will be the 2026-2027 Reflections theme. Stay tuned for more information about Sophia and her winning submission!


Annual Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant   

Sponsored by the Family of Mary Lou Anderson  â€” 2024 Funding Opportunities Now Closed
 

Through the Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant two local PTAs are awarded funds to administer innovative, student-centered programs that increase access to high quality arts learning experiences and provide new pathways for at-risk and underserved students to participate in arts education experiences, including National PTA’s Reflections program. Learn more at PTA.org/ArtsEd.

Congratulations to the 2024 Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grantees:

  • Boca Raton Community High School PTSA from Boca Raton, Florida
  • Lake Myra Elementary PTA from Wendell, North Carolina

Curious how past grantees have used the grant funds? Read this  to learn how our 2023 Grantees supported arts education and Reflections in their community. 




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