Important Dates for 2021-2022
Summer is an important season for Reflections. It allows time to have experiences that can lead to the creation of entries, and leads to unrushed entries without a September "Crunch."
Sometime in October is the projected "Art Collection Time/Date"
for schools. The dates will vary per school, follow the date your school sets.
Student Forms
- Use the upcoming Student Form (Student Packet) that will be made available on this page (when released) School Chairs should also make them available.
- Please do not alter the Student Form.
- The top section is to be completed by the School Reflections Chair. The remainder of the form should be completely filled out, as neatly as possible.
- Write in Ink - please no pencil, it does not copy well, and legibility of contact information and the Artistic Statement is super important!
- There is not enough space to write the contact email, feel free to write as shown in the picture. High school students, please don't use your school related email address, we are unable access that address.
- Write as clearly as possible, the spelling of names (important for labels, certificates and awards) will insure that corrections will not be needed later.
- Look at the Grades within the Age Divisions and check the correct one.
- The vital Artistic Statement can be typed on a separate sheet and attached to the Student Form, please include your name.
Artistic Statements
The Artistic Statement is so very important! You could show a very creative entry with perfect technique, but without a statement that ties the creation of the piece to theme, the entry will not move forward
You can neatly type or write your statement (in ink) on a separate page and attach it to the Student Form.
Dance Choreography
Dance Choreography
Dance Choreography
- Follow the directions from the Art Category Rules carefully.
- Lip Synching is not Choreography.
- This is a choreography challenge, the entry needs to be your original composition in your chosen movement.
- You can take what you have been taught and change it up!
- Variety of movement, the changing of levels, covering more space, and considering
- Follow the directions from the Art Category Rules carefully.
- Lip Synching is not Choreography.
- This is a choreography challenge, the entry needs to be your original composition in your chosen movement.
- You can take what you have been taught and change it up!
- Variety of movement, the changing of levels, covering more space, and considering your angles - leads to good Choreography.
- Consider the transition between "big moves" or tricks, to be just as important as those moves/tricks.
- Consider your setting, check the safety of the ground and remove distracting items if possible.
Film Production
Dance Choreography
Dance Choreography
- Follow the directions from the Art Category Rules carefully.
- Film Production is story telling, tell a story based on the theme.
- You may have actors, but the production must be 100% you.
- Do not feature trademarked characters like Legos, Barbie Dolls or established Anime.
- Especially take care to use the stated format for the digital recording.
Literature
Dance Choreography
Literature
- Follow the directions from the Art Category Rules carefully.
- Although illustrations are very nice, only the literature will be considered in the judging.
- Write in ink or type, the entry must read and copy well.
- Please do not mat or frame your entry.
- Write your name on the back of each page and number the pages.
- When submitting your entry,
- Follow the directions from the Art Category Rules carefully.
- Although illustrations are very nice, only the literature will be considered in the judging.
- Write in ink or type, the entry must read and copy well.
- Please do not mat or frame your entry.
- Write your name on the back of each page and number the pages.
- When submitting your entry, place two copies in a manila envelope
- Use of the Artistic Statement to tell how your story illustrates the theme.
Music Composition
Music Composition
Music Composition
- Follow the directions from the Category Rules carefully.
- Additional musicians can play in your composed piece.
- If you write lyrics, (whatever age division) please include a written/typed copy with your entry.
- Use the correct recording format (see the Category Rules).
- Recordings should be audio only, video recordings are not needed.
- Carefully l
- Follow the directions from the Category Rules carefully.
- Additional musicians can play in your composed piece.
- If you write lyrics, (whatever age division) please include a written/typed copy with your entry.
- Use the correct recording format (see the Category Rules).
- Recordings should be audio only, video recordings are not needed.
- Carefully label your USB or Disks with your name and school.
- Include 2 copies of the music notation for grades 6th and above.
Photography
Music Composition
Music Composition
- Follow the directions from the Art Category Rules carefully.
- Size up! 8x10 photos are best, if you can keep the quality of the photo.
- The photo needs to be backed on a firm board.
- Write your name and school on the back of the entry.
- You can mat your piece or leave a border around the photo that you affixed to a firm background.
- Choose a comp
- Follow the directions from the Art Category Rules carefully.
- Size up! 8x10 photos are best, if you can keep the quality of the photo.
- The photo needs to be backed on a firm board.
- Write your name and school on the back of the entry.
- You can mat your piece or leave a border around the photo that you affixed to a firm background.
- Choose a complimentary color of mat to not distract from the photo, the photo needs to be the focal point.
Visual Arts
Music Composition
Visual Arts
- Follow the directions from the Art Category Rules carefully.
- 3D entries are encouraged, follow the directions about the 3 photos required for submission.
- Do not feature a trademarked character - Legos, anime, film or literary characters etc.
- Entries need to be attached to a firm backing board. (construction paper is not firm enough).
- You can
- Follow the directions from the Art Category Rules carefully.
- 3D entries are encouraged, follow the directions about the 3 photos required for submission.
- Do not feature a trademarked character - Legos, anime, film or literary characters etc.
- Entries need to be attached to a firm backing board. (construction paper is not firm enough).
- You can mat your piece or leave a border around the entry, (that you affixed to a firm background). Choose a complimentary color to not distract from the piece, the Visual Art piece needs to be the focal point.
- Do not sign the front of your piece (do that later) write your name and school on the back of the entry.
Reflections Basics - view the Virtual Showcase
The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program for students. The Reflections Program provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education.
Participation and appreciation for the arts is the Reflections Program's goal. Although the Reflections Program follows a "contest" format, winning should not be the emphasis.
Participation in the Reflections Program is a great way for students to explore and learn about various art forms. Creating art is a valuable learning process that challenges students to use their critical thinking skills as well as their creative talents to create art that supports a specific theme.
Students may submit an entry in any of the six arts areas listed below. Only original works of art are accepted. Depending on local PTA guidelines, students may enter more than one work of art. The six arts areas are as follows:
- Literature
- Musical composition
- Photography
- Visual Arts
- Dance Choreography
- Film/Video Production
Participation in the California Reflections program is open to all students in attendance at PTA/PTSA schools where the program is sponsored.