• Dance Choreography
• Literature
• Photography
• Film Production
• Music Composition
• Visual Arts

Artworks are submitted first to school-level PTAs, where they are first recognized, celebrated and judged by five grade-level divisions. The Accessible Artist 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.

School PTAs then choose a selection of entries to be judged by local PTA units, which are then sent on to councils and then districts for consideration. The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit. Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.

REFLECTIONS RULES

• General Rules for Participation — By entering the “National PTA Reflections Program,” entrants accept and agree to be bound by these Official Rules as well as the entry requirements for their specific arts category and division. Any violation of these rules may, at PTA’s discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the judges regarding this program are final and binding in all respects. (The “PTA” referred to in these rules include all PTAs reviewing the entry).
• Eligibility — Students must participate through a local PTA/PTSA in good standing. Parent groups not affiliated with National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program. It is the responsibility of the state and local PTA/PTSA to determine each student’s eligibility in the National PTA Reflections® Program. A student may develop an entry in or outside of school.
• Categories — There are six arts categories – dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. Students may enter the National PTA Reflections Program in one or more arts categories. See each Arts Category Rules for additional entry requirements.
• Grade Divisions — Students may enter in the appropriate division for their grade (Primary: Preschool-Grade 2; Intermediate: Grades 3-5; Middle School: Grades 6-8; High School: Grades 9-12; Accessible Arts: All grades welcome). If students do not fall under specific grade divisions, National PTA suggests they be grouped by age (Primary: Up to age 7; Intermediate: Ages 8-10; Middle School: Ages 11-13; High School: Ages 14+; Accessible Arts: All ages welcome). See Accessible Arts Division Rules for entry requirements.
• How to Enter — Entrants must submit their artwork and student entry form (PLEASE SUBMIT FORM AT THE LINK ABOVE) to their local PTA/PTSA program according to local and state PTA procedures. Entrants must follow requirements and instructions specific to each arts category and division. Contact local PTA programs for deadlines and additional information.
• Entry Requirements — (All participants must also follow Arts Category and Division Rules) — Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme may be submitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed except in the Accessible Arts Division. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student only. See the specific Arts Category Rules for details. Each entry must contain a title, and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include a minimum of 10 words but may not exceed 100 words.  Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for recorded music in dance choreography and film production entries. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use of PowerPoint presentations are prohibited because most graphic elements are copyrighted.
• Final Selection and Notification — Entries are reviewed at local, regional, state and national levels. Each PTA determines its own judges for the program. Entries will be judged primarily on how well the student uses his or her artistic vision to portray the theme, originality and creativity. The National PTA Reflections® program makes no restrictions on content or subject matter in artwork. Under no condition may parents or students contact the judges to dispute the status of any entry. Awards will be announced according to local and state procedures. National award recipients will be notified via email by National PTA, typically in May. The PTA in its sole discretion will select finalists for exhibition and provide awards/prizes. Visit PTA.org/Reflections for more information on Exhibitions and awards.
• Ownership and License — Ownership in any submission shall remain the property of the entrant, but entry into this program constitutes entrant’s irrevocable permission and consent that PTA may display, copy, reproduce, enhance, print, sublicense, publish, distribute and create derivative works for PTA purposes. PTA is not responsible for lost or damaged entries. Submission of entry into the PTA Reflections program constitutes acceptance of all rules and conditions.
• Participating Entities — This program is administered by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and PTA affiliates.
• Please see Rules by Category HERE