National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts, which boosts student confidence and successes in the arts and in life. Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art. This 50+ year old program helps them 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. The Reflections theme for 2024-25 is Accepting Imperfection!
Students enter in different categories, which are Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts, and can enter in multiple categories. Please confirm with your Local PTA which categories they are offering.
The DEADLINE to submit is set by each Local PTA.
Students must participate in their Grade Category: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), and Accessible Arts (students of all ages with an ADA Section 504). Students with the ADA Section 504 may enter in the Accessible Artist Division or the grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.
Students, if your PTA is not hosting the Reflections Program, you may enter your submission with the Louisiana Lagniappe PTSA. This requires a $5 membership in Lagniappe PTSA which is a statewide, virtual unit that anyone can join.
Download Entry Form, Media Release, and Guidelines
-
Student Entry Form (Spanish) - Students must complete the Entry Form. Contact your Local PTA Leader to complete the top section.
-
Student Entry Packet (Spanish) - Contains additional instructions and the Entry Form.
-
St. Tammany Parish Media Release Form - All students in St. Tammany must have a Media Release Form included.
-
Guidelines for Arts Categories: Students must read the full guidelines for their entries to know the detailed rules for entries:
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can students work together on an entry? Technically, an entry must be entered under one person's name. Louisiana PTA will try and acknowledge each person if they win an award, such as a dance group who all helped with the choreography. If they advance to the National PTA Contest, National PTA will only recognize one person.
-
Can students work on their entries at home? Yes!
-
Can students enter more than one category? Yes!
-
Can a young student dictate their Artist Statement to a parent? Yes, they can as long as the parent does not edit the statement. A parent could also include a "translation" of the student's statement.
-
Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) be used in any way? No, Artificial Intelligence is not allowed to be used in any way for this contest.
The Local PTA determines how the student entries are submitted to their PTA and the deadline for submissions. If you need help contacting your Local PTA Leader, email Reflections@LouisianaPTA.org. If your PTA does not participate in Reflections or if you are not a member of a PTA, anyone may join Louisiana Lagnaippe PTSA for $5 and participate in Reflections through them. Lagnaippe PTSA is a statewide unit that meets virtually.
Reflections Theme Search Entry
The search is on for a future Reflections theme! Help National PTA pick the theme that will spark fun and creativity for a future Reflections program! The student who submits the final winning entry for National PTA will receive a $100 prize. We’re looking for the most original theme ideas. This means past themes and duplicate submissions will not be considered. Check out the past winning themes to make sure not to duplicate. Deadline is November 18, 2024.