Reflections

2021 - 2022 Reflections Program

The PTSA believes all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual arts Reflections Program. The Texas Reflections program has the most participation of any National PTA program with entries totaling over 75,000 across the state. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to create and submit works of art in six areas:

  • literature
  • musical composition
  • photography
  • visual arts
  • dance choreography
  • film/video

In its more than 30-year history, the program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to create works of art.

A great learning experience! When children express themselves through words, pictures, movement, music, photography and other art forms, they grow intellectually. They learn to analyze their thoughts, feelings and ideas. They learn to look at things, people and experiences in a fresh and exciting way and they become more interested in the ideas and works of others.

I Will Change the World By… 

Student Participation

The Reflections program is open to all Texas students who meet the necessary requirements below:

Schools Supported by a Local PTA/PTSA:

Students must attend a school with a Local PTA/PTSA that achieves Active Status no later than October 31, or students must attend a school which is defined within the service area of a community-based Local PTA/PTSA which achieves Active Status no later than October 31; and
The student or at least one person from their primary household must be a current member of the Local PTA/PTSA where the student is participating. Each Local PTA/PTSA may determine a date by which the member must join.
Home-School Families, Virtual Schools, and Non-PTA Schools:

Students who attend a school that is not supported by a Local PTA/PTSA may participate through the Lone Star Statewide PTA, if the student or at least one person of their primary household is a member of this PTA no later than October 31. Learn more about Lone Star Statewide PTA and how you can join!

Eligible students may enter any or all of the six art categories. Multiple entries within a single arts category are permitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student and created specifically for the Reflections program based on the national theme. Each entry must also conform to the guidelines developed by National PTA.

Entry Forms & 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.

Rules and Entries found here:  https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections/

Awards & Recognition

Each level of Reflections judging will determine how and when their participating students are celebrated. Here is an outline of the awards and recognition received if the entry advances to Texas PTA and National PTA.

Parents

As with any student activity, parent involvement and support are very important. But parents must remember that student artists need to create their own works. Children must make their own decisions about what to create and what to enter in the Reflections Program. By creating their own literature, musical composition, photography, the visual arts, dance choreography, and film/video, children not only learn about the arts, more importantly, they learn about themselves.

Please visit National PTA for rules and information.