Reflections
The Reflections Program is a National PTA and WSPTA cultural arts competition. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.
This year's submissions are due in the Einstein office by October 21!!!!
The Reflections Program is a National PTA and WSPTA cultural arts competition. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.
This year's submissions are due in the Einstein office by October 21!!!!
Program Details
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:
Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select up to four entries in each of the six arts areas (a total of 24) 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.
Special Artist Division
The National PTA special artist division is an option for students with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Generally, rules and guidelines within the special artists division are intended to ensure accessibility to the National PTA Reflections® program and are modeled after the guidelines outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Who qualifies as a disabled individual under the law?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an individual with a disability as a person who:
(1) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that person;
(2) Has a record of such an impairment; or
(3) Is regarded as having such impairment.
Students who identify as having a disability have two ways to enter the National PTA Reflections® program.
Option 1. Enter in special artist division: Qualifying students entering this non-graded division create their own artwork, but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. At the national level, one special artist from across all arts categories will be selected to receive an Outstanding Interpretation award. Up to five additional special artists may be selected to receive national Awards of Excellence.
Option 2. Enter in traditional grade divisions: Qualifying students follow all arts category rules, and may not receive assistance other than that which is allowed for all children, but do receive accommodation to submit Reflections entries in the grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. They are recognized and awarded prizes as part of the general student population without regard to special needs or challenges.
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 -- 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.
- Primary -- Preschool - Grade 2
- Intermediate -- Grades 3 - 5
- Middle/Junior -- Grades 6 - 8
- Senior -- Grades 9 - 12
Once entries reach the state level, the state PTA may select up to four entries in each of the six arts areas (a total of 24) 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.
Special Artist Division
The National PTA special artist division is an option for students with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Generally, rules and guidelines within the special artists division are intended to ensure accessibility to the National PTA Reflections® program and are modeled after the guidelines outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Who qualifies as a disabled individual under the law?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an individual with a disability as a person who:
(1) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that person;
(2) Has a record of such an impairment; or
(3) Is regarded as having such impairment.
Students who identify as having a disability have two ways to enter the National PTA Reflections® program.
Option 1. Enter in special artist division: Qualifying students entering this non-graded division create their own artwork, but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. At the national level, one special artist from across all arts categories will be selected to receive an Outstanding Interpretation award. Up to five additional special artists may be selected to receive national Awards of Excellence.
Option 2. Enter in traditional grade divisions: Qualifying students follow all arts category rules, and may not receive assistance other than that which is allowed for all children, but do receive accommodation to submit Reflections entries in the grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. They are recognized and awarded prizes as part of the general student population without regard to special needs or challenges.
