Five decades. Ten million students. And you!
Reflections
Reflect. Create Art. Be Recognized.
What Is Reflections?
The Reflections Arts Program is a nationwide arts recognition initiative from National PTA that encourages students to explore their creativity through the arts. Each year, students in pre-K through grade 12 are invited to create and submit original works of art in response to a student-selected theme.
25-26 Theme
Each year, the PTA Reflections program offers students a platform to express their unique perspectives and interpretations of a student-created theme. For the 2025-2026 school year, the theme is “I Belong!” This concept was created by Ben Morgan from Boise, Idaho, as part of the 2023 Reflections Theme Search Contest.
“I have found belonging with my family and friends. The people in my classes can also be like part of my family, even though we aren’t directly related. For me, “I Belong!” means I know where I am accepted, and I know that I can be myself there without being criticized or judged.” – Ben Morgan
Photography
The process of creating an image. The photographer captures their own thoughts and ideas with a camera.
Visual Arts
Many art forms, visual in nature. The artist captures their thoughts and ideas to create a visual piece of art.
Literature
The art of writing. The author expresses their own thoughts and ideas through the use of the written word.
Film Production
The process of making a film. All screenwriting, directing, and editing must be done by the student producer.
Music Composition
Creating a new piece of music. The composer is a person who expresses their own thoughts and ideas through the use of sound.
Dance Choreography
Creating movement. The student choreographer may be the performer or one of the performers, but does not have to perform in the entry.
Accessible Arts
For students who identify as having a disability, offers division-specific accommodations. Students will still select one of the other categories.
How to enter
Step 1
Learn about the theme, select your category, and read all the guidelines
Step 2
Create your work - and your artist statement
Step 3
Submit your work
Resources and downloads
Support - TMS.Reflections.Info@gmail.com
Explore more - helpful links
Important dates
Submissions Open - Now!
Deadline to submit - October 10
Judging Period - October
Results Announced - November/December