Reflections Art Program 2024-2025
Theme: "Accepting Imperfections"
The National PTA Reflections program encourages students from Pre-K to 12th grade to express themselves through dance, film, literature, music, photography, and visual arts. Multiple entries are allowed, and winners can advance to Council, State, and National levels, with scholarships and prizes available.
Students (or a member of their immediate family) must have a current membership of their local PTA to participate. Multiple entries into any or all of the categories is allowed and encouraged. Students' work is judged at the local campus, with the opportunity to advance to Council, Texas and National PTAs. Scholarships and prizes are available for top entries!
Submit theme ideas for a chance to win $100. |
Quick-Start Actions
- Collaborate with the outgoing Arts Chair to assess materials needed for the school.
- Register annually with Texas PTA: here.
- Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with important dates.
- Sign the Texas PTA Confidentiality and Ethics Agreement: download here.
- Complete the required FOUNDATIONS Essentials by October 15.
- Review the Texas PTA Basics Programs Resource Guide (English | Spanish) as needed for detailed support and best practices and for all things related to the Arts in Education position, including running the Reflections program.
Duties at a Glance
- Support year-round arts-related activities at your school.
- Coordinate with the Programs VP to include arts in the school calendar.
- Promote the Reflections program and recognize participating students.
- Ensure your PTA maintains Active Status with Texas PTA by October 31 for eligibility.
TX PTA Resources
- Reflections Leader Resources for guidelines, forms, and judging rules.
- Download the entry forms and promotional materials for this year.
- Use the Advancing Entry Spreadsheet to track and submit entries advancing to Council.
Important Dates
- No later than 2nd week of November: Local campus submission deadlines to allow time for judging in advance of Council's submission deadline.
- November 30th 11:59pm:Advancing Spreadsheet and Local PTA Participation Summary.
- December 7, 2024: Council deadline for all entries have to be submitted in digital form through our Council PTA Reflections 2024-25 Art Submissions Form.
- January: Overall Awards of Excellence (AOE) entries are shipped to Texas PTA, so they may not be returned until the end of the Spring semester.
June–August
- Share new theme
- Art events on calendar
- Confirm local deadline
- Advertise
September
- Find local judges
- National Arts in Ed Week
- Arts Round Table Chat
October
- Arts and Humanities month
- 31st: PTA Eligibility deadline
November
- Local artwork deadline
- Local artwork is judged
- 30th: Spreadsheet due
- Order ribbons
December
- Council judging
- Council results
- Celebrate
January
- Overall Award of Excellence art to State
February
- State judging
March
- National judging
April
- Council awards ceremony
Council Judging
All advancing entries will be submitted to Council through our Council PTA Reflections 2024-25 Art Submissions Google Form by December 7, 2024.
- Please follow the category rules found here
- If an entry advances to state, we will make arrangements based on the Texas PTA Reflections guidelines. Please plan and communicate this with your families.
Judging Overview
- Judging is based on interpretation of theme, creativity, and technique.
- Entries are divided by age and category (dance, literature, film, music, photography, visual arts).
- Students with disabilities may choose to enter the Accessible Arts Division, which has modified guidelines.
Awards
-
Now that judging is complete on your campus, it is time for celebrating! Art prizes, certificates and ribbons are given to top entries! (Varies per campus coordinator.)
- Awards at the campus level:
- Award of Excellence (Blue ribbon) 20% of entries, these entries advance to Council
- Award of Merit (Red ribbon) 20% of entries
- Honorable Mention (White ribbon) 30% of entries
- Optional: Participation (green ribbon) may be given to all entries just for participating in Reflections on your campus whether they receive an award or not.
- Order ribbons through our local vendor for fair pricing and quick turnaround: Spirit Promotions Lynette@spiritpromotions.net
- Another option is PTA's online market with National PTA ribbons and certificates.
More on Arts in Education
Arts in Education is a long-standing priority for PTA. Working to incorporate the arts into daily learning contributes to growth and education of the whole child. We are passionate about supporting creative kids and giving all students the chance to express themselves creatively.
ARTS IN EDUCATION RESOURCES
ARTS SUCCESS
One of the most valuable benefits of PTA is that our Leaders are part of a larger community who have the opportunity to network and share with one another. We know that PTAs across Texas are doing great things, and we want to hear about each one of them! Submit your success story and be the Talk of Texas!
LOCAL ART GROUPS
- https://www.collaborativeartsofplano.org/
- https://www.plano.gov/816/Art-in-the-Library
- https://www.facebook.com/planoarts
- https://www.facebook.com/planoartwalk
- https://www.facebook.com/planoartscoalition
- https://www.facebook.com/planosymphony