A BIG thank you to leadership, teachers, staff and all the wonderful students + parents who submitted for Reflections in 2024!

We have a theme for 2025 – I Belong! Submissions open in August and will be due in October. In the meantime, you can read up on the program to start to get inspired!

This year’s theme was submitted by Ben Morgan, a 6th grader from Lewis and Clark Middle School PTSA in Boise, Idaho! Ben wanted to create “a theme that many people could relate to.” When asked what “I Belong!” means to him, Ben shared: “I have found belonging with my family and friends. The people in my classes can also be like part of my family, even though we aren’t directly related. For me, “I Belong!” means I know where I am accepted, and I know that I can be myself there without being criticized or judged.” 

Ben and his siblings have been active participants in the Reflections program, and he mentioned: “We do a lot of art at my house. Especially music.” Ben plays piano and is learning to play the cello. However, his favorite way to create art is by making pencil sketches. He values asking for input from friends and family about what he should add to his creations and said they “turn out to be interesting!”  

To read more about how the theme was selected, please click this link.

What is Reflections?

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.

Who Can Participate?

Accessible Arts Division: Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Accessible Arts Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. The Accessible Arts Division welcomes all grades and all abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing; holding a camera) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections. Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement, choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc.) Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Accessible Arts Division. Full Rules.

How to Enter:

  1. Join the Anderson PTA [one member of the household must be a current member of the PTA]- https://andersonpta.membershiptoolkit.com/family
  2. Review the Rules [new ones coming in fall]
    • No AI
    • Individual entries only, one student per entry
    • Original Artwork only, no help from parents (unless it’s part of the special artist division)
    • Multiple submissions are allowed categories and in a single category
    • Important High Level Rules (please read full rules)s
  3. Fill Out the  Entry Form [coming in fall] and Submit via email to arts@andersonpta.com.
  4. Get Inspired and create an original dance, film, literature, music, photo or 2D art work. Submit via email by TBD for 2025 to arts@andersonpta.com, see file types accepted below.

Why Enter?

This is a great way to get your student involved in the arts early and really have them explore an important theme.

One student per category/division will be selected to move on to the district level and from there the judging continues to the state and national levels.

Student entries submitted to the national level go through two rounds of review by esteemed arts professionals across the country. Over 200 students are recognized for their achievements in the arts and their works are exhibited throughout the year. Top national-level winners are provided prizes and scholarships and their works are showcased and exhibited.

What to Enter:

One of the most fun parts about Reflections is that there’s a category for every type of artist! There are 6 categories of art form allowed:

  • 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. 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.
    • Rules coming in fall
  • Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, director, editor and producer. If student chooses to appear in film, a tripod and remote may be used. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form.
    • Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4.
    • Rules coming in fall
  • Literature: Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, drama, reflective essay, narrative and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted format: Single-sided.
    • Digital PDF preferred.
    • Rules coming in fall
  • Music 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. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited.
    • Audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: MP3, WAV.
    • Rules coming in fall
  • Photography: Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited; see above for Copyright exceptions.
    • Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG.
    • Rules coming in fall
  • 2D Visual Arts: Accepted forms of visual art include: original print, drawing, painting, collage (cut and pasted materials such as clippings and photos), metal etching or punch work, fiber work or computer-generated artwork. Frames and artwork containing loose materials are not accepted. Matting is accepted. Dimensions must not exceed 24x30 inches, including mat. Paper entries should be mounted on sturdy material.
    • Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. *Note these guidelines are specific to Texas PTA. While other states are incorporating additional 3D art mediums, Texas PTA has made the decision to only accept 2D Visual Arts entries.
    • Rules coming in fall

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. 

Judging:

The judging of this program is being done blindly. The judge will only receive the original work and the student’s statement. No names will be share to reduce biases or conflicts of interest.

Past Entry Examples & Honorees:

 

Howdy! My name is Erin McIntire. I’ve been a parent at Anderson for 3 years. After serving as Reflections chair in 2024, I have really found my way to make my Anderson a little better!

If you have any questions about the program this year, please reach out and I’d love to find the answer together!

Can’t wait to see what your kiddos create!

Best,

Erin McIntire
Arts & Education Chair for the Anderson PTA
e: arts@andersonpta.com
c: 281.850.2240