Submissions are now open for the 2025-2026 Reflections Art Program!

 

This page is your one-stop shop for all things Reflections. Below you’ll find out more about this year’s theme [“I Belong!”], How to Get Started, Rules, Tips, What is the Theme, What the program is, Who can participate, How to Enter, Why to Enter, What to Enter, Judging Information and a little about your Arts & Education Chair - me! 

 

Reflections has been a staple arts program in many schools for over 50 years. Through the efforts of our Local PTAs, millions of students have found a creative outlet in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. With positive recognition as the focus of this program, rather than competition, students of all ages and abilities can experience the benefits of creative expression and help in finding their own voice in telling their unique story.

 

 

How to Get Started: 

  1. Join the PTA - one member of the student’s household must be a member. That means a parent/guardian or the student themselves qualifies them to enter.
    1. Not a Member Yet? No Problem, click here to sign up today!
    2. Not Sure? Email membership@vmspta.org to find out if you are signed-up
  2. Fill Out the Entry Form - you can fill out the paper copy that came home with your students or find a digital version here for download. 
    1. Entry Details - make sure to fill in all necessary information. 
    2. Artist Statement - must be in the words of your student. You or AI cannot help them write this. 
  3. Pick Your Art Category - you can choose any of the six art categories [Literature, Art, Music, Dance, Photography or Filmmaking]. If it’s too hard to pick just one, you can do multiple entries. Please see rules for each category in the “What to Enter” section below.
  4. Submit by 10/31/2025 - to arts@vmspta.org
    1. Digital Entry - dance, music, photography, and possibility literature should all be submitted by email to arts@vmspta.org along with a digital version of the entry form. 
    2. Physical Entry - art and possibility literature will need to be submitted in-person to the arts chair Heather Bunting. Please email arts@vmspta.org to work out the pass-off

 

Tips:

  • No AI
  • Multiple entries within a single arts category are permitted
  • Each entry must be the original work of one student and created specifically for the Reflections program based on the national theme - "I Belong!"
  • Students can submit more than one entry in different categories
  • Artist Statement must be in the words of your students, you can help them dictate it but you can not put your own words/thoughts into the statement
  • The Artist Statement Accounts for Half of the overall score, it's very important. 
  • Original Artwork only, no help from parents (unless it’s part of the special artist division)
  • Multiple submissions are allowed categories and in a single category.

“I Belong!” Theme:

This year’s theme was submitted by Ben Morgan, a 6th grader from Lewis and Clark Middle School PTSA in Boise, Idaho! Ben wanted to create “a theme that many people could relate to.” When asked what “I Belong!” means to him, Ben shared: “I have found belonging with my family and friends. The people in my classes can also be like part of my family, even though we aren’t directly related. For me, “I Belong!” means I know where I am accepted, and I know that I can be myself there without being criticized or judged.” 

Ben and his siblings have been active participants in the Reflections program, and he mentioned: “We do a lot of art at my house. Especially music.” Ben plays piano and is learning to play the cello. However, his favorite way to create art is by making pencil sketches. He values asking for input from friends and family about what he should add to his creations and said they “turn out to be interesting!”  

To read more about how the theme was selected, please click this link.

 

What is Reflections?:

Started in 1969 by Mary Lou Anderson, then Colorado PTA President, Reflections has grown to be one of the largest nationwide programs of its kind, with more than 200,000 students participating annually.

 

Who Can Participate?:

  • Students at VMS who have at least one household member who is a current member of the Anderson PTA. If you’re not currently a member, it’s not too late to sign-up!
    • Accessible Arts Division: Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Accessible Arts Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. The Accessible Arts Division welcomes all grades and all 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 Accessible Arts Division. Full Rules.

Why Enter?:

This is a great way to get your student involved in the arts early and really have them explore an important theme.

 

One student per category/division will be selected to move on to the district level, and from there, the judging continues to the state and national levels.

 

Student entries submitted to the national level go through two rounds of review by esteemed arts professionals across the country. Over 200 students are recognized for their achievements in the arts, and their works are exhibited throughout the year. Top national-level winners are provided prizes and scholarship,s and their works are showcased and exhibited.

 

What to Enter?:

One of the most fun parts about Reflections is that there’s a category for every type of artist!

 

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 on entry form. Entries with added graphics in the video are not accepted. If background music is used, cite on entry form. This is a digital entry only. Full Rules.

    • Digital Submission, video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4. This is a digital entry to be emailed with completed student entry form to arts@vmspta.org.

Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, director, editor and producer. If student chooses to appear in film, a tripod and remote may be used. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. This is a digital entry only. Full Rules.

    • Digital Submission, video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, FLV, WMV, MOV, MP4. This is a digital entry to be emailed with completed student entry form to arts@vmspta.org.

Literature: Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, drama, reflective essay, narrative and short story. Collections of literary work are not accepted. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Original Illustrations are accepted, but only the writing is judged. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. This is can be a physical or digital entry. Full Rules. 

    • Physical, submission must be single-sided, 8 ½ x 11. Attach student entry form to back with sheet protector. Please reach out to arts@vmspta.org for physical submission.
    • Digital Submission, should be emailed with completed student entry form to arts@vmspta.org. 

Music Composition: All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Software may be used to produce an audio recording. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. No AI or algorithmic composition techniques are not accepted. This is a digital entry only. Full Rules. 

    • Digital Submission, audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: MP3, WAV. This is a digital entry to be emailed with completed student entry form to arts@vmspta.org.

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; see above for Copyright exceptions. This can be a physical or digital entry. Full Rules. 

    • Physical, printed image between 3x5 to 8x10 inches. Glass frames are not accepted. Attach student entry form to the back with sheet protector. Please reach out to arts@vmspta.org for physical submission.
    • Digital, image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. Entry to be emailed with completed student entry form to arts@vmspta.org.

2D Visual Arts: Accepted forms of visual art include: original print, drawing, painting, collage (cut and pasted materials such as clippings and photos), metal etching or punch work, fiber work or computer-generated artwork. Frames and artwork containing loose materials are not accepted. Matting is accepted. Dimensions must not exceed 24x30 inches, including mat. Paper entries should be mounted on sturdy material. This is can be a physical or digital entry. Full Rules. 

    • Physical, artwork dimensions must not exceed 24x30 inches, including mat. Attach student entry form to back with sheet protector. Cover front of artwork with paper, securing it along one edge to the back of artwork without covering form and draping over front. Do not wrap in plastic or laminate entry. Please reach out to arts@vmspta.org for physical submission.
    • Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. *Note these guidelines are specific to Texas PTA. While other states are incorporating additional 3D art mediums, Texas PTA has made the decision to only accept 2D Visual Arts entries.

Judging:

The judging of this program is being done blindly. The judge will only receive the original work and the student’s statement. No names will be share to reduce biases or conflicts of interest.

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