Reflections is a National PTA arts in education program. The program was started in 1969 and is the largest arts program of its kind in the United States. Students have the opportunity to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works created around a theme that changes each year.
The theme for the 2024-2025 year is Accepting Imperfection.
Reflections is not “just an art contest.” It helps kids take risks, be inspired, think creatively, and be celebrated for their creativity and work. Studies have shown there is a positive relationship between the arts and well-being.
Reflections Categories & 2024-25 Entry Guidelines
A student may submit an entry in any of six categories. (Click the hyperlinked categories to see the entry guidelines.)
- Dance Choreography [Coreografía de Danza] — Originally choreographed dance composition presented in a video entry
- Film Production [Producción Cinematográfica] — Original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia
- Literature [Literatura] — Original works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, reflective essay, narrative or short story. Entries must be a single literary work; collections are not accepted.
- Music Composition [Composición Musical] — Original musical composition, with or without words, presented in an audio recording
- Photography [Fotografía] — Color or black and white. Included techniques: Photogram, panorama, photomontage (one print of multiple original photos), single or multiple exposure, negative sandwich.
- Visual Arts [Artistes Visuales] — Drawing; painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor or T-shirt paints; computer-generated art; two-dimensional collage; printmaking; needlework; leather tooling (see link for all accepted visual art forms). NOTE: LWPTSA Council is accepting ONLY 2D visual art. [Sólo aceptamos entradas en 2D.]
- Accessible Arts Category — The National PTA Accessible Arts division is an option for students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 to have the opportunity and accommodations they may need in order to participate fully in the program. The division offers modified rules and guidelines to ensure that every student has the chance to be part of the National PTA Reflections® program.
Entry Deadline is November 1
- Student Packet with Official Rules
- PDF entry form (last page from the rules)
- All entries this year are digital
- Each submission is considered complete with a Google Form including uploading an Entry Form and digital art within the form
- Collection of any physical 2D works will be requested at a later date after judging. No 3D submissions are allowed.
- No names appearing on/in the submitted art file. (Names & initials are ok on the back of 2D art but not the front)
- Each entry must be an original creation by one student
- Entries advancing to District/Council PTSA judging will be notified before Thanksgiving Break and displayed at Lake Washington School District Resource Center from January 24th to 31st, 2025. A district-wide reception for artists and their families will be held there on January 24, 2025 from 6:30pm-8pm.
If you are in need of supplies for the visual art category, we have art kits for loan that students can bring home for creating 2D visual art. Fill out the form HERE and we will deliver a kit to your child's teacher.
If you have any questions, please email reflections@agbellptsa.org.
