Reflections

Every year, students across the country and in U.S. schools abroad participate in the Reflections Theme Search Contest. In this competition, students submit unique and inspiring theme suggestions to inspire a future Reflections program cycle. State PTAs select the top five finalists and advance the submissions to National PTA, where they go through multiple stages of review by National PTA volunteer leadership.  

Reviewers look for submissions that are focused, neither too narrow nor too broad, inspiring, and unique in comparison to past program themes. Additionally, because Reflections themes are selected two years in advance, reviewers also seek themes that will be relevant in the future.  

The Reflections Art Program has brought the arts to life for more than 10 million students since 1969. California State PTA and its members and families are at 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.

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, 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.