2023-34 THEME:

“I AM HOPEFUL BECAUSE…”

Entry Submission Deadline is EXTENDED TO Friday November 10th
If your artist needs additional time to work on and submit their piece, please reach out to Claire Andreas, reflections@waynewoodpta.org, and she can grant an extension through Monday.

About the PROGRAM

Students in Pre-K through grade 12, and a special artist division are invited to create theme-based artwork in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts. Membership in Virginia PTA provides the opportunity to participate in the National PTA Reflections Arts Contest. This competition encourages students to explore the arts and express themselves by providing positive recognition for their artistic efforts. Since it was founded in 1969 by Mary Lou Anderson, millions of students have benefited from this program.
This year's theme is "I am hopeful because..."

HOW IT WORKS

Students submit their completed work of art with an artist statement, to their local school PTA's Reflections contest in the Fall.
Local PTAs celebrate winners at the school level, and then forward winning entries in each age division and art category to their City/County Council PTA. If your school is not located in a Council, then your school PTA's winning entries should be submitted directly to Virginia PTA for regional judging.
Council PTAs select winning entries and submit winning entries for each age division and art category to Virginia PTA. Council PTA's hold Student Awards Celebrations in late winter/early spring.
Virginia PTA selects and submits state winning entries to National PTA to compete against students from across the United States, and holds a Student Awards Celebration in April.
National PTA selects and announces winners of the national-level contest in May.

How to Enter

Use the arts to share your personal Reflections on this year’s theme: "I am hopeful because..."
DEADINE EXTENDED: Submissions are due by Friday, November 10th.
Click here to enter your submission.
Experienced artists will review your work for interpretation of theme, creativity and technique.
We look forward to celebrating your artistry and achievement in the arts!
Save the date for this year’s Reflections Celebration (TBD).

Dance Choreography

Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted.
Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form.
Video file must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4 or AVI
format.
More Dance Choreography Category Guidelines

Film Production

Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation.
Use of PowerPoint is prohibited.
Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer.
If background music is used, cite it on the entry form.
Video file must not exceed 5 minutes in length and
1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4 or AVI format.
More Film Production Category Guidelines

Literature

Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, reflective essay, screen play and play script,
narrative, and short story.
Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English
translation is also attached.
Use of copyrighted material is prohibited.
Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed.
Accepted formats: Single-sided print on 8 1⁄2x11” paper, PDF file.
More Literature Category Guidelines

Music Composition

All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted.
Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers.
Use of copyrighted material is prohibited.
Audio recording must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size.
Accepted audio file formats include: MP3 and WAV.
Notation (score/tablature) in PDF format is only required for middle and high school divisions.
In place of a notated score entrant may include a written reflective statement that provides a musically technical explanation of how you wrote the music (100 words or less).
More Music Composition Category Guidelines

Photography

Photo must be a single print/digital image.
Collages and collections of photos are not accepted.
Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to,
multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram.
Use of copyrighted material is prohibited.
Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches.
Accepted print formats: Mounted on mat or poster board no larger than 11x14 inches.
Framed prints are not accepted.
Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution).
Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG.
More Photography Category Guidelines

Visual Arts

Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: architectural drawing and
models, ceramics, collage, computer generated images and graphics, crafts, drawing, fashion clothes
and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, painting, printmaking and sculpture.
Use of copyrighted material is prohibited.
2D artworks must be mounted on sturdy material and no larger than 24x30 inches with matting.
Framed entries are not accepted.
Include one digital image of artwork with your submission.
3D artwork submissions must contain 3 digital images of artwork at different angles.
Image(s) are used for artwork identification, judging and exhibition purposes.
Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG.
More Visual Arts Category Guidelines

Special Artist

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.
See Official Rules for details.
More Special Artist Category Guidelines

Entry Form

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Due by November 10th

Official Rules

By submitting an artwork to the “National PTA Reflections Program,” entrants accept and agree to be
bound by the official rules for participation as well as the entry requirements for their specific arts category
and division. Additional state program requirements may apply. Any violation of these rules may, at PTA’s
discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the reviewers regarding this program are final and
binding in all respects. (The “PTA” referred to in these rules include all PTAs reviewing the submission).

ELIGIBILITY. Students must participate through a local PTA/PTSA. Each student’s eligibility is determined by the
state and local PTA/PTSA. A student may develop an entry inside or outside of school.
ARTS CATEGORIES. There are six arts categories—dance choreography, film production, literature, music
composition, photography and visual arts. Students may enter the National PTA Reflections Program in one or
more arts categories. See each arts category rules for additional entry requirements.
GRADE DIVISIONS. Students may enter in the appropriate division for their grade (Primary: Preschool-Grade 2;
Intermediate: Grades 3-5; Middle School: Grades 6-8; High School: Grades 9-12; Special Artist: All grades welcome).
The Special Artist Division welcomes students from all grades and abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations
(e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing; holding a camera) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections.
Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement,
choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc.) Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Special
Artist Division.
HOW TO ENTER. Entrants must submit their artwork and student entry form to their local PTA/PTSA program
according to local and state PTA procedures. Entrants must follow requirements and instructions specific to each
arts category and division. Contact local PTA programs for deadlines and additional information.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. (All participants must also follow arts category and if applicable, Special Artist Division
rules)
Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the current year’s 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. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative
product of one student only. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. See the
specific arts category rules and special artist division 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 at least 10 words and not exceed 100 words.
Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for background music in dance choreography and film
production entries. If used in dance choreography and film production entries, background music must be cited
on the entry form. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use of PowerPoint templates are prohibited.
FINALIST SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION. Entries are reviewed at local, regional, state and national levels. Each
PTA determines its own reviewers for the program. Entries will be reviewed primarily on how well the student uses
their artistic vision to portray the theme, their originality and creativity. The National PTA Reflections® program
makes no restrictions on content or subject matter in artwork submitted by the local, regional or state levels.
National PTA reserves the right to use its sole discretion in selecting the submissions to be recognized at the
national level. Under no condition may parents or students contact a reviewer to dispute the status/score of any
entry. Each PTA in its sole discretion will select finalists for exhibition and provide awards/prizes. Awards are
announced per local and state procedures. National awards and events are announced May 1 at PTA.org/
Reflections.
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.
PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. This program is administered by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and
PTA affiliates. Parent groups not affiliated with National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program.