Reflections

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National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.  Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. 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 in school and in life. 

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National PTA Reflections Introduction

Learn what is NEW for the 2024-2024 Reflections Program! 

Reflections is regularly assessed, updated and enhanced to ensure the program is meeting our goal of providing all students opportunities for recognition and access to the arts.   

*New* Division Title:

Moving forward, the Special Artist division will be referred to as the Accessible Arts division. This change is in response to concern around the term "special", based on feedback gathered from participants, volunteers and partner non-profit organizations and recognizes the importance of evolving how we talk about disability to align with and be more inclusive of people with disabilities. The division-specific guidelines and student entry forms include updated language and the new title. However, the competition process and structure of the division was not changed. 

*New* Clarified and Updated Guidelines:

Materials were updated to provide consistent and clearer guidance around the use of technology and copyright materials in entries:

• Use of Copyright Materials: Guidelines were clarified to explain that, while permitted in certain categories, copyrighted materials in an entry must be incidental and/or is a smaller element of a whole and used to create a completely new and different work of art. 
• Use of Technology: Guidelines were clarified to emphasize that digital technology may not provide the primary design and/or concept for an entry and to indicate that entrants must provide a brief description how they used the technology/software, including any generative elements (e.g., algorithmic techniques, artificial intelligence).

The category-specific guidelines and student entry packet/form reflect these changes. In addition, the category-specific guidelines also reflect language adjustments, especially the following: 

• Visual Arts: Category-specific guidelines now specify "digital art and graphics (drawings/paintings/illustration)," rather than "computer-generated images." 
• Literature: Category-specific guidelines now specify dictation is permissible based on the student being able, rather than their age. 

Categories and Divisions: 

Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), Accessable Arts (All grades welcome; formerly "Special Artist").  If a student attends a school that does not sponsor the National PTA Reflections Program or if the student is part of a homeschool or virtual classroom, they may join any local PTA/PTSA in their area to submit an entry.  A selection of entries will then be advanced to the nearest County Council for judging.  For more information on local units please email [email protected].  
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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.

Please join our Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest announcements and connect with other county Reflections Chairs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hccptareflections