About The Reflections Program

Since 1969, the PTA Reflections Program has encouraged millions of students across the nation to explore their artistic talents. Reflections is a nationwide arts appreciation and recognition program for pre-k to grade 12 students. Supporting the reflections program is one way to promote the importance of a quality arts education in your home, school, and community. Start a Reflections Art Program at your local unit today!

There are two ways students can participate.

1. Reflections Theme Search Competition
   Student submits their entries to the Florida PTA and finally to the National PTA.
2. Reflections Art Program
   The theme for this program is announced two years ahead through the Theme Search Competition. This program is a tiered program – students submit their entries to their local unit PTA, then the top entries advance to the County Council PTA, then to the State PTA, and finally to the National PTA. The program allows students to express themselves artistically based on a common theme. The student entries are judged primarily on how well they use their artist statement(s) and artistic vision to portray the theme in their unique artwork and own words.

We offer training to local units every year. For more in-depth information, check our calendar for the latest dates surrounding the Duval County Reflections Program.

Below are the high-level steps to participate.

Reflections Theme Search Competition

1. Local PTA/PTSA do not have to register to submit a theme entry.
2. Download and distribute the entry forms.
3. Submit student entries directly to Florida PTA by November 1, 2024. Email completed entries to reflections@floridapta.org
4. The student who submits the most original winning entry will receive a $100 prize from the National PTA.
5. Past themes and duplicate submissions are not considered. Review the past 50+ years of winning themes to get inspiration and avoid duplicates.

Reflections Art Program

1. Register your local unit at the beginning of the school year, between August to October.
   Register and attend the Duval County Council of PTAs/PTSAs monthly general meetings and annual Reflections Training Workshop to learn specific details for the year.
2. Promote your Reflections program.
   Visit the program resources page, then scroll down to the Reflections Leader Resource section and download the Local Leader’s Guide and the Shareable Promotions for posters, flyers, and social media images.
3. Download and distribute entry forms with entry rules and guidelines.
   The Florida PTA Reflections site is updated yearly with the latest forms for Reflections Chairs to download and use, per guidelines.
   • Make sure to fill out the top section of the Student Entry Form before distributing copies for students to use.
   • The top section of the student entry form should include your PTA information and contact details.
   • Search for your PTA ID here as needed.
   • Local PTAs will use Form A to document program participation and Form B to list all winners advancing to the county.
   • NEW changes for the 2024-2025 Reflection Program!
     • The “Special Artist” division has been renamed the “Accessible Artist” division.
     • The rules and guidelines have been updated to provide consistent and more precise guidance on the use of technology and copyright materials in student entries.
     • Category-specific guidelines were adjusted for visual arts and literature.
   • Please carefully read and understand the rules and guidelines for each art category, and visit the Florida PTA site for more details on the changes listed above.
4. Local PTA Units will collect and review/judge student entries. 
   Each local PTA will decide how, when, and where students will submit their entry form and artwork for local qualification and judging. However, we recommend you align your dates with the County, State, and National deadlines, rules, and regulations to ensure your student entries qualify and can advance to the next level of judging.
   • All student entries will be submitted to a Local Unit PTA or the Sunshine State PTA.
   • Students without a local school PTA can join another Local Unit PTA or the Sunshine State PTA. However, please be mindful of deadlines as they can vary by PTA.
5. Advance your top six (6) entries from each category and grade division to us, your County Council PTA.
   Read county and state entry rules and requirements very carefully. Ensure each student’s entry qualifies before advancing each to the DCCPTA judging.
   • Only a Local PTA Unit or Sunshine State PTA can advance a student’s entry to county-level judging.
   • The deadline to submit to Duval County-level judging is Friday, November 15.
   • Duval County submission will be 100% electronic this year via Google form.
   • Give yourself ample time to fill out and upload student entry documents as outlined in Google form instructions.
   • The email address submitted at program registration will receive a link to the Google form by November 11. So, be sure that your local unit is registered early!
   • Ensure student entry forms are legible and meet general and art category-specific requirements before advancing to county-level judging.
6. DCCPTA’s Reflections Committee will review advancing entries received by the due date.
   •  A blind judging process will be used to judge entries by experts in specific categories.
7. Recognize your local winners advancing from County to State
   After the state deadline, the Duval County Council PTA will announce the Duval County winners in January.
   • The County will advance winners to the state-level judging.
   • The date and location of the Duval County Council award ceremony to recognize our Reflection winners will be announced after the January winner announcement.
8. Recognize your local winners advancing from State to National
   Florida PTA will announce state winners in March.
9. Recognize your local winners from the National PTA
   The National PTA will announce winners in May.
10. Wrap up your program. Celebrate and recognize all your student participants.
    Celebrate your local winners, participants, and volunteers based on what works best for your community. Then, hold a debrief meeting with your committee members and thank all your volunteers. Note lessons learned for next year, archive data, and return artworks as needed. But do not forget to promote next year’s theme!

Become an Arts Advocate

Resources are available to local PTAs to help ensure that every child has access to and participates in high-quality arts learning experiences in your school community.

• Get ideas on celebrating National Arts and Humanities Month in October.
• Apply for the Mary Lou Anderson Reflections Arts Enhancement Grant, awarded to two local PTAs to administer innovative, student-centered programs that increase access to arts learning experiences and new pathways for students to participate in National PTA’s Reflections program.
• Access resources to assess, develop, and advocate for the arts in your community and state.

Local PTAs can visit the National PTA’s ArtsEd Resources site to learn more.