Deadline to Submit Your Artwork: November 17, 2023
This fall, students at Swansfield Elementary School can flex their creative muscles by participating in the National PTA’s Reflections art contest.
About the Program
The Reflections Program allows our students to express themselves through their gifts & talents in the arts! It provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life. View a video detailing the program here.
The theme for the 2023-2024 program year is I am Hopeful Because… Students submit their completed works of art in one or more of the available categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.
Student winners from the local level could move up through their district, region, council, and state PTA programs to compete at the national level!
*Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.
Awards
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 scholarships and their works are showcased and exhibited.
National Level Reflections Awards
- Merit Award: Bronze Medal; Certificate of Merit; Work featured in the virtual exhibition
- Award of Excellence: $200 Young Artist Scholarship; Silver Medal; Certificate of Excellence; Work featured in the virtual exhibition
- Outstanding Interpretation Award: $800 Young Artist Scholarship; Gold Medal; Certificate of Outstanding Interpretation; Work featured in the virtual exhibition; $200 Prize for Local PTA Unit
Rules and Guidelines
Rules and guidelines are available here.
All art must be submitted digitally to reflections@swansfieldpta.org.
All entries must include a title of the piece and an artist’s statement.
Entry Forms for Participation
Student Entry Form is available here:
Make sure all the entry forms are completed and submissions follow the program’s guidelines
and requirements. Entries to PTA Council that are missing the following will be disqualified
automatically.
• A TITLE is REQUIRED (“Untitled” is not a title). Each participant is required to submit an
artist statement that describes what inspired them to create the work and how it relates
to the theme.
• The ARTIST STATEMENT is MANDATORY for all entries in all grade divisions. The
statement may not exceed 250 words (1,000 characters maximum); there is no minimum
length. The Student Entry Form provides a space to type the artist statement; if the statement
does not fit in the space given, it must be written on a separate page and labeled in the lower
right corner according to the directions given for the rules of the specific art area.