Explore the Arts: Participate in PTA Reflections

What do you believe in? What are your dreams? Who inspires you? Discover your world and explore new cultures or your own through dance, film, literature, music, photography or visual arts. No experience is required to participate in Reflections! Choose the arts category you’re interested in, create an original piece of artwork based on this year's theme, and be recognized as an artist in your community.

Each year hundreds of thousands of students in preschool through grade 12 create and submit original works in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. Students may participate in the national awards program through their school's PTA.

Students are invited to participate in this year’s Reflections Program. The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is I Matter Because.... Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts. The deadline for this year's Reflection contest is October 9th. You can get more information on the theme criteria and submission guidelines. 

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Tips for filling out the Reflections Form:

Do not fill out the information in the box at the top of the form. That is for the school PTA. 

REST OF FORM Student name and contact info must be legible! The student and a parent or legal guardian must both sign the form.

Grade Division and Arts Category Please make sure Grade Division and Arts Category are filled out. Read the rules for each arts category and make sure you have entered the correct one.

Title of Artwork. This is required! You must give your work a title, and it cannot be "Untitled." Interpretation of the contest theme ("Within Reach") is the top judging criteria, and the title gives you one more opportunity to show how the art ties in with the theme. 

Artwork Details. These may include size, length, materials, background music, etc. See category rules.

Artist Statement. This is an excellent opportunity to sell the work's connection to the theme. A good Artist Statement can elevate an entry over one that is artistically better but has a lackluster statement. Watch the length. The Artist Statement must be 10-100 words long. Some general tips are as follows:                                

• Describe how you came up with the idea and executed the project, including any challenges you faced in doing so.
• Examine your thoughts on the theme and how the artwork expresses those thoughts. 
• Relate the theme to your own life and to the artwork.

Would you like to help National PTA pick out a future Reflections theme?

If yes, visit the VAPTA site to download the Theme Search Packet. All Reflections themes are submitted by students! We will vote on our top 5 to submit to National and they will choose one for the 2020-2021 Reflections theme. The winning student receives $100 from National PTA.