National PTA's Reflections Program

The Reflections program is a national arts recognition initiative by PTA that celebrates creativity in students from preschool through grade 12. 

Each year, students are invited to create original works of art in response to the theme. This year's theme is:

I BELONG!

This 50+ year-old program helps students 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.

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

No Experience needed!

Students will 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), Special Artist (All grades welcome). 

Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.

Deadline for Reflections submission: October 17, 2025

Rules, Eligibility, etc. 

• General Rules for Participation — By entering the “National PTA Reflections Program,” entrants accept and agree to be bound by these Official Rules as well as the entry requirements for their specific arts category and division. Any violation of these rules may, at PTA’s discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the judges regarding this program are final and binding in all respects. (The “PTA” referred to in these rules include all PTAs reviewing the entry).

• Eligibility — Students must participate through a local PTA/PTSA in good standing. Parent groups not affiliated with National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program. It is the responsibility of the state and local PTA/PTSA to determine each student’s eligibility in the National PTA Reflections® Program. A student may develop an entry in or outside of school.

• Entry Requirements — (All participants must also follow Arts Category and Division Rules) — Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme may be submitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed except in the Special Artist Division. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student only. See the specific Arts Category Rules for details. Each entry must contain a title and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include a minimum of 10 words, but may not exceed 100 words.  Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for recorded music in dance choreography and film production entries. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use of PowerPoint presentations are prohibited because most graphic elements are copyrighted.

• Final Selection and Notification — Entries are reviewed at local, regional, state and national levels. Each PTA determines its own judges for the program. Entries will be judged primarily on how well the student uses his or her artistic vision to portray the theme, originality and creativity. The National PTA Reflections® program makes no restrictions on content or subject matter in artwork. Under no condition may parents or students contact the judges to dispute the status of any entry. Awards will be announced according to local and state procedures. National award recipients will be notified via email by National PTA, typically in May. The PTA in its sole discretion will select finalists for exhibition and provide awards/prizes. Visit PTA.org/Reflections for more information on Exhibitions and awards.

• Ownership and License — Ownership in any submission shall remain the property of the entrant, but entry into this program constitutes entrant’s irrevocable permission and consent that PTA may display, copy, reproduce, enhance, print, sublicense, publish, distribute and create derivative works for PTA purposes. PTA is not responsible for lost or damaged entries. Submission of entry into the PTA Reflections program constitutes acceptance of all rules and conditions.

Category Guidelines