Reflections

This page is dedicated to providing forms, information, and resources to unit PTA Reflections chairs.

Still have questions? Contact the Burbank Council PTA Reflections chair via email at Reflections@BurbankCouncilPTA.org.

For a list of the 2024-2025 Council Reflections winners, please click here.

REFLECTIONS: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ARTS

“Accepting Imperfection”

That’s the theme for the 2024-25 Reflections Art Program, which has been bringing the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. California State PTA and its members, families and kids are on the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education.

Reflections encourages students of all ages to:

  • Unleash creative talents and be inspired
  • Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork
  • Experience the fun and joy of making art
  • Tap into critical-thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme
  • Receive positive recognition for their original works of art.

PARTICIPATION IS EASY, EXCITING AND EMPOWERING

All students attending PTA schools sponsoring the program are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:

  • Dance Choreography
  • Literature
  • Photography
  • Film Production
  • Music Composition
  • Visual Arts

Artworks are submitted first to school-level PTAs, where they are first recognized, celebrated and judged by five grade-level divisions.  Winning artwork from the school level is then sent on to councils and then districts for consideration. The final artworks submitted to California State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit. Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent California in the final National PTA judging round.

HOW IT WORKS

Reach out to your school PTA to find out how to submit artwork for their program, but here are the basics:

  1. Create your original work of art.
  2. Title your work. (Make any citations for music, musicians, instrumentation & dimensions for photography/visual art. Include a word count for literature.)
  3. Write your Artist Statement. Describe our work & how it relates to the theme. (1-100 words)
  4. Submit your work per your school’s requirements by their deadline.
  5. Artists selected to move to the next level will be notified.

IMPORTANT REFLECTIONS DATES

Local entry submission due dates vary depending on where you live. Please reach out to your PTA unit, council and district to inquire about your local due dates, which are generally in the fall of each year.

  • If you are a STUDENT – Contact your School Reflections chair for your school submission date.
  • If you are a SCHOOL REFLECTIONS CHAIR:
    • In a PTA Council school – Contact your PTA Council Reflections chair for your PTA Council submission date.
    • In an Out-of-Council PTA school – Contact your PTA District Reflections chair for your PTA District submission date.

Specific instructions, resources and dates for submissions to the California State PTA are posted on the Leaders Website.

FORMS AND RESOURCES

Additional forms and resources are available in the Resources section of the website, just click “Reflections.”

ANNUAL THEME SEARCH

  • Each year, students are invited to submit themes for the annual Reflections Art Program that will inspire young artists to create original works.
  • Click here for more information and to see the 2024-25 California finalists who were sent to National PTA for judging.
  • Thank you to all who participated. We received 150+ theme search entries. We will update the page once the Committee has selected the 5 finalists who will be sent to National PTA for judging.

GRANTS FOR THE ARTS AVAILABLE

Building on the decades-long arts legacy of past Colorado State PTA President Mary Lou Anderson, who established the Reflections Art Program, National PTA awards grants of up to $1,000 so local PTAs can take arts education to the next level — especially for at-risk kids. Find out how your PTA can qualify.

So let the Reflections Art Program — and the arts — be a part of your kids’ lives! For more information on participating or to get Reflections and other arts programs started or funded at your school, contact your local PTA and get connected with California PTA’s SMARTS – Parents for the Arts Network.