Plan your projects now. It's never too early to start!

 

Reflections has been a staple arts program in many schools for over 50 years. Through the efforts of our Local PTAs, millions of students have found a creative outlet in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.

 

With positive recognition as the focus of this program, rather than competition, students of all ages and abilities can experience the benefits of creative expression and help in finding their own voice in telling their unique story.

 

Started in 1969 by Mary Lou Anderson, then Colorado PTA President, Reflections has grown to be one of the largest nationwide programs of its kind, with more than 200,000 students participating annually.

Categories Include:

Dance Choreography

Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Entries with added graphics in the video are not accepted. If background music is used, cite on entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4. Packaging: Check to see if your PTA is accepting entries digitally and follow their instructions. If not, place flash inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector

 

Film Production

Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer. A tripod and remote may be used. If used, cite background music on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4. Packaging: Check to see if your PTA is accepting entries digitally and follow their instructions. If not, place flash inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

 

Literature

Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: prose, poetry, drama, reflective essay, narrative and short story. Collections of literary work are not accepted. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is provided. Original Illustrations are accepted, but only the writing is judged. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed (single-sided, 8 ½x11”). Packaging: Check to see if your PTA is accepting entries digitally and follow their instructions. If not, place 1 copy of literature inside folder with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

 

Musical Composition

All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Software may be used to produce an audio recording. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Entries containing algorithmic composition techniques are not accepted. Audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: MP3, WAV. Notation: Required for middle and high school divisions - score, tabulature or written reflective statement that provides a musically technical explanation of how your music was created (100 words or less). Packaging: Check to see if your PTA is accepting entries digitally and follow their instructions. If not, place flash inside envelope with student entry form attached to outside in sheet protector.

 

Photography

Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages, collections of photos and added graphics are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques. Printed images: between 3x5 to 8x10 inches. Glass frames are not accepted. Digital images: at least 640x960 pixels and 300 dpi resolution. Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. Packaging: Check to see if your PTA is accepting entries digitally and follow their instructions. If not, attach student entry form to back with sheet protector.

 

2D Visual Arts

Accepted forms of visual art include: original print, drawing, painting, collage (cut and pasted materials), metal etching or punch work, fiber work or computer-generated artwork. Dimensions must not exceed 24x30 inches, including mat. Check to see if your PTA is accepting entries digitally and follow their instructions. *Physical artwork, attach student entry form to back with sheet protector. Cover front of artwork with paper, securing it along one edge to the back of artwork without covering form and draping over front. Do not wrap in plastic or laminate entry. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 pixels and 300 dpi resolution. Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. *These guidelines are specific to Texas PTA. Texas PTA has made the decision to only accept 2D Visual Arts entries

 

Accessible Arts Division

is open to students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504. Students will participate against other Accessible Arts entries and are awarded as part of the division. Students may receive division-specific accommodations and non-artistic accommodations as outlined in the division guidelines. Students with disabilities who wish to enter the general category judging should follow the general rules and category guidelines, modified only by non-artistic accommodations specific and limited to the student’s disability.

 

Entry Forms and Rules:

Students should download the Program Rules to ensure their art meets the requirements for each art category. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Student Entry form. 

 

2026-2027 Student Program Rules Packet Coming Soon   2026-2027 Student Entry Form Coming Soon

 

(Be sure to read the rules in each category and pay attention to your artist statement explaining your work).

 

Find out more at:

https://www.txpta.org/reflections

 

Contact the Texas PTA Programs Team

 

Contact the Reflections Chair at reflections@hendrickpta.org with additional questions.

 

 

2025-2026 Reflections Theme:

Congratulations to the most resent winner of the Annual Theme Search Contest, Ben Morgan from Lewis and Clark Middle School PTSA in Idaho. The winning theme for 2025-2026 is:

 

"I Belong!"

 

As winner, Ben will receive $100 from National PTA and his theme will be used to inspire hundreds of thousands of artists across the nation as they participate in the PTA Reflections art program. Congratulations to Ben and Idaho State PTA on this achievement!

 

Thank you again to all participating Texas students! Start brainstorming now on which future themes you plan to recommend. The entry form link is available at the Texas PTA website: https://www.txpta.org/reflections-theme-search Remember, there is no limit to how many different themes you may enter.

 

2024-2025 Reflections PROGRAM

 

 

                     

2024-2025 Reflections Theme:

"Accepting Imperfection"

 

Visit the Texas PTA 2024-2025 Reflections Gallery to see examples of entries that were awarded by Texas PTA in past years. And see last year's State and National results.

 

2023-2024 Reflections PROGRAM

 

      

2023-2024 Reflections Theme:

"I am Hopeful Because..."

 Submitted by Alice Meko, from Hampton Cove Elementary PTA in Alabama

  

2022-2023 Reflections PROGRAM

 

2022-2023 Reflections Theme:

 

"Show Your Voice!"

 submitted by Jason Yevin, from Salk/Macarthur PTSA in New York

 

 

 

2021-2022 Reflections PROGRAM

2021-2022 Reflections Theme:

 

"I Will Change the World By..."

 submitted by Lydia Keel from Utah State PTA

2020-2021 Reflections PROGRAM

2020-2021 Reflections Theme:

"I Matter Because..."

 

 

2019-2020 Reflections PROGRAM

2019-20 Reflections Theme:

"Look Within"

 

2018-2019 Reflections PROGRAM

2018-19 Reflections Theme:

"Heroes Around Me"