Overview of Reflections Program
The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.

Each year, Reflections challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme. Themes are selected from thousands of ideas submitted by students to National PTA's Reflections Theme Search. The 2008-2009 Reflections theme is: "Wow!".

Young artists get involved in Reflections through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. The six art areas are:

• Literature -- works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.

• Music Composition -- original musical composition, with or without words.

• Photography -- prints up to 11 x 14 inches in color or black and white, including techniques: photogram, retouched, montage, sandwich and multiple exposure.

• Visual Arts -- drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling.

• Film/Video -- original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.

• Choreography/Dance -- originally choreographed dance composition (recorded on VHS tape or DVD).

Participation in Reflections is organized by student age and grade levels. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. The grade divisions are:

• Primary -- Preschool - Grade 2

• Intermediate -- Grades 3 - 5

• Middle/Junior -- Grades 6 - 8

• Senior -- Grades 9 - 12

Entries are judged on creative ability and interpretation of the theme. The Reflections Program is structured for PTAs to recognize students at the local, council, state, and national levels. Entries are first judged at the local level and selected works are chosen to represent the PTA at each subsequent level. If a PTA is a member of a council, they will send the chosen entries to the council program according to the guidelines established by their council.  If a PTA is not a member of a council, they will submit their entries directly to Washington State PTA.

Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select up to five entries in each of the four arts areas (a total of 20) to submit to the National PTA. National first, second, and third place, and honorable mention entries are recognized at the National PTA Annual Convention.

All PTAs/PTSAs in good standing may sponsor the Reflections Program.  Students may only submit entries through a PTA/PTSA. Parent groups not affiliated with the National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program.

Information packets, rules, guidelines, and entry forms are distributed to units and councils. This information is available in each PTA's Fall Leadership Packet.

Reflections Forms
2008-09 Student Entry Form
2008-09 Student Entry From -Spanish
(This form MUST be accompanied by an English version of the application.)

2008-09 Requirement Checklist Form
Local Unit Participation Form
Non-Council Local Unit Participation Form
Council Participation Form
Theme Search 2010-11 Form

Example of Principal Letter
Example of Teacher Letter
Example of Student Letter

Judging Form - Dance
Judging Form - Film
Judging Form - Literature
Judging Form - Music
Judging From - Visual Arts & Photography

General Student Rules
Choreography Rules
Film Production Rules
Literature Rules
Music Composition Rules
Photography Rules
Visual Arts Rules


Reflections Packet
2008-2009 Reflections User Guide & Forms
Visual Arts/Photography Entry Size Guidelines

For more information call 1-800-562-3804 or email reflections@wastatepta.org

Reflections en Español 
Si necesita información en Español acerca de el programa “Reflections” ó acerca de programas de educación de las Artes, por favor visite:
          Del sitio Web de National PTA

Congratulations to all the 2007-2008 Washington State Reflections Award Recipients.

     Click here to visit the 2007-2008 Reflections Gallery
     Click here to view a list of all the State award recipients

Congratulations to the eight students from Washington State who received National awards.

Click here to view a list of the National PTA award recipients from Washington State

 2008 Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant 
A limited number of matching grants of up to $1,000 are awarded each year to local PTAs for student centered programs focused on arts education. Special consideration is given to programs that reach large numbers of students, especially students who are at risk. At risk is the term applied to children whose environmental, familial, and/or socioeconomic situation may affect their academic success or ability to learn.

The grant program complements National PTA's long-standing commitment to quality arts education in public schools by providing funds to local PTAs to establish or enhance a school arts program in one or more arts areas: visual arts, photography, music (including dance), and literature (including theater). Local PTAs must submit the application and provide funds that match the amount they are requesting from National PTA.
          Click Here to Download MLA 2008 Grant application