National PTA Reflections Program

The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Georgia PTA cultural arts competition. Since 1969, over 10 million students across the nation have taken part in this popular PTA program.

The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. The excitement and enthusiasm that the program generates for students, parents, schools and communities is unmatched with the majority of Georgia PTAs participating in the program at all PTA levels.

That’s why the Reflections Program provides an excellent opportunity for students of all ages to:

• Unleash their creative talents and be inspired
• Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork
• Experience the joy and fun 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

The theme for the 2026-2027 program year is "What My Culture Means to Me"

Reflections Submissions?

• Updated Student Entry Form. A No option was added to opt in question for Accessible Arts Division. All students not participating in Accessible Arts must check the No box.
• Film production clarification. All entries must include original student footage, media, material. Digital slide presentations (PowerPoint) are not allowed.
• National theme search contest suspended this year. Contest is being restructured to increase participation and efficiency.
• Winners’ Log. Additional column added for students’ school.
• Local Unit/Council Participation Form. Applicable form(s) must be submitted with advancing entries.
• Good Standing. December 30th deadline for local units to be in Good Standing to be eligible for state judging. 

Why Is Student Recognition Important?

Celebrating student learning provides an opportunity for schools and families to connect with each other and to their community. When PTAs and schools celebrate the arts together, all families feel welcomed into the school and are encouraged to take an active role in their child’s learning. Research shows positive recognition and engaged families attribute to higher rates of student success.

Celebration events also serve as a platform for communicating the importance of arts education in your school. Ensure school leaders, policy makers and community leaders recognize the value of learning through the arts.

Judging Artwork

After you collect your artwork, it is time for judging. To aid the judges, provide each judge with the:

Judging Guidelines

Judges Score Card

Submitting to Council/State:

Local Unit Reflections Chairs: As you prepare your student entries to move forward from local unit to council or state level judging, we have a 5 step process we would like for you to follow.

1. Ensure your local unit is in good standing, advancing entries will not be accepted if this criteria has not been met to date.
2. Complete the Local Unit Participation Form
3. Complete the Winners Log. Please note that there are three tabs in the Winners Log Excel Spreadsheet. Please be sure to completely fill out the information on all three tabs (Local PTA Information, Winners List, Special Artist Winners)
4. Register your local unit with National PTA. We do not require Local Units to input their student entries into the online database, however, local units AND Councils need to create an account and register their schools in the online system.
5. Enter all advancing entries into the National PTA portal.

Theme Search Contest

The search is on for the 2025-26 National PTA Reflections program theme! The student who submits the winning entry will receive $100, and his or her theme will be announced at the National PTA Convention and Exhibition in June 2024.

Please review the past themes listed on the form linked below. Repeat themes will not be considered.

Participation in the Reflections Program theme search is optional.

Nov. 1st – Theme entries due to Georgia PTA
Dec. 15th – Georgia PTA announces Virginia’s winning theme entry
May. 2023 – National PTA announces winning theme (see past themes)

Click here to enter the Theme Search!

Past & Future Reflections Arts Contests

• 2026-2027: Reflections Theme: What My Culture Means to Me
• 2025-2026: Reflections Theme: I Belong
• 2024-2025 Reflections Theme: Accepting Imperfection
• 2023-2024: Reflections Theme: I am Hopeful Because…
• Georgia PTA 2022-2023 Student Award Winners (Show Your Voice) | National PTA Virtual Exhibit

Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant Program

Is your PTA planning a creative Arts Program for students? Each year, National PTA provides up to $1,000 in matching funds for PTA sponsored Arts Programs facilitating sustained involvement in the arts that target populations of at-risk students. Information for Mary Lou Anderson is at the bottom of the page via this link.

Formulario de búsqueda temática en Español

¡Ha comenzado la búsqueda del tema para el Programa National PTA Reflections® 2024-2025! El alumno que entregue la entrada ganadora recibirá $100, y su tema será anunciado en la Convención y Exposición Nacional de la PTA en junio de 2023.

Por favor revise los temas pasados que aparecen en el formulario enlazado abajo. No se considerarán temas repetidos. Utilice este formulario para entregar las ideas para el tema. Sólo se considerarán los formularios firmados originales.

La participación en la búsqueda de temas del programa Reflections es opcional.

Fecha límite del estado para 2024-2025 de búsqueda del tema: 11 Noviembre 2022