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REFLECTIONS: IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ARTS
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“I Belong!”That’s the theme for the 2025-26 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:
Click here to see the California winners of the 2024-2025 Reflections Art Program. |
REFLECTIONS TRAINING (FOR UNIT LEADERS)
- August 21, 2025 – Reflections Kick-Off Training: It’s that time of the year! Join California State PTA’s Reflections Committee for our Reflections Kick-Off Training on August 21st to learn all about the program. You’ll gain valuable tools, tips, and resources to help you facilitate the Reflections Art Program at your school. Register now and choose from our 10:00 am morning session or 7:00 pm evening session.
Register Now (10:00 am) Register Now (7:00 pm)
- August 28, 2025 – Virtual Reflections Form Training: Are you a PTA Unit leader that will be facilitating the Reflections Art Program at your school? Don’t miss out on our Virtual Reflections Form Training sessions happening Thursday, August 28th. This is your opportunity to become a Google form expert and learn from our Reflections Committee and ask any questions you or your school might have. Register now and choose from our 10:00 am morning session or 7:00 pm evening session.
Register Now (10:00 am) Register Now (7:00 pm)
- September 18, 2025 – Judging Reflections Training: Calling all UNIT leaders! California State PTA’s Reflection Committee will be hosting two virtual training sessions on September 18th! You’ve gotten all your submissions, but now what? It’s time for judging! Join us and learn everything you need to know about virtual judging and passing your art to the next round of competition. Register now and choose from our 10:00 am morning session or 7:00 pm evening session.
Register Now (10:00 am) Register Now (7:00 pm)
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, the Accessible Arts division celebrates student artists with special needs. School PTAs then choose a selection of entries to be judged by local PTA units, which are 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.
State-level Outstanding Interpretation honorees receive:
- Onstage recognition at the California State PTA Annual Convention
- The opportunity to showcase their artwork at the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery
- Prizes including an Outstanding Interpretation plaque, award and certificate
State-level Award of Excellence honorees receive:
- The opportunity to showcase their artwork at the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery
- Prizes including an Award of Excellence medallion, award and certificate
State-level Award of Merit honorees receive:
- The opportunity to showcase their artwork at the California State PTA Convention Reflections Gallery
- Prizes including an Award of Merit medallion and certificate
National-level Outstanding Interpretation honorees are recognized at the National PTA Convention, plus their artwork, along with any National Award of Excellence and Merit winners, are featured in Reflections’ popular traveling national exhibit. See the winners.
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:
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- 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.
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 check out the resources on our Arts Education page.
For detailed information just for PTA Leaders on this topic, visit the Leaders’ Website.
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