Reflections Arts Contest

National PTA Reflections

 

Reflections is the National PTA program that encourages students to reflect on a specific theme and create original artwork for fun and recognition. We invite all students whose families are members of our PTA to participate in this opportunity to showcase their creative talents.

Theme: "Show Your Voice"

National PTA Reflections 2022-2023 Call for Entries. Explore the arts and express yourself!

Create original works of art in response to the student-selected theme: "Show Your Voice." Entries can be in one or all of the available arts categories:

 

Dance Choreography

 

Film Production

 

Literature

 

Music Composition

 

Photography

 

Visual Arts

 

REFLECTIONS 2022: How to Enter

  1. Pick a category for your artwork
  2. Create your art and make sure you follow the requirements for that category
  3. Complete the student entry form including careful consideration of the artwork title and artist statement The entry form must accompany all Reflections submissions: Digital and Paper. Each submission requires a separate entry form. Students in grades K-2 compete in the Primary Division, grades 3-5 compete in the Intermediate Division, and 6th grade competes in the Middle School Division. 
  4. Submit your digital entries via the provided Dropbox link or non-digital via email notification and deliver to the CRS PTA Front Office by November 10, 2022.

 

The deadline to enter for 2022-2023 is November 10, 2022

ARTWORK CATEGORY RULES AND REQUIREMENTS

 

Dance Choreography

Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4 or AVI format.

 

Film Production

Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4 or AVI format.

 

Literature

Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: Prose, poetry, reflective essay, screen play and play script, narrative, and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted formats: Single-sided print on 8 ½x11” paper, PDF file.

 

Music Composition

All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Audio recording must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size. Accepted audio file formats include: MP3 and WAV. Notation (score/tablature) in PDF format is only required for middle and high school divisions. In place of a notated score entrant may include a written reflective statement that provides a musically technical explanation of how you wrote the music (100 words or less).

 

Photography

Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. Accepted print formats: Mounted on mat or poster board no larger than 11x14 inches. Framed prints are not accepted. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG.

 

Visual Arts

Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: architectural drawing and models, ceramics, collage, computer generated images and graphics, crafts, drawing, fashion clothes and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. 2D artworks must be mounted on sturdy material and no larger than 24x30 inches with matting. Framed entries are not accepted. Include one digital image of artwork with your submission. 3D artwork submissions must contain 3 digital images of artwork at different angles. Image(s) are used for artwork identification, judging and exhibition purposes. Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG.

 

Special Artist

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. Please clearly identify if entering as a Special Artist.

The Special Artist Division is an option for students with disabilities who receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 to have the opportunity and accommodations they may need in order to participate fully in the program. The Special Artist Division offers modified rules and guidelines to ensure that every student has the chance to be part of the National PTA Reflections program. Students identified as having a disability can 1) enter in the division most aligned to their functional abilities or 2) enter in the Special Artist Division. Eligible students entering the Special Artist Division create their own artwork, but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. Students are recognized and awarded prizes as part of the Special Artist Division. See the VA PTA rules for the Special Artist Division for more details.

entry form

Be sure to fully complete the Student Entry Form whether submitting a digital or non-digital work.  Be sure to thoughtfully consider the  Title of the Artwork and Artist Statement as it is considered by Judges throughout the competition.  The title and statement should reflect a personal meaning as it relates to the theme of the contest.

Students in grades K-2 compete in the Primary Division, grades 3-5 compete in the Intermediate Division, and 6th grade competes in the Middle School Division. 

 

STUDENT ENTRY FORM

  

Digital Entries

You must complete the digital entry form for each artwork.Ensure that the file(s) for your student's entry meets the category's file type and size requirements noted above. If you need assistance or have questions, contact our Reflections Coordinator.

 

To submit your student's entry,

  1. Fill out the CRS PTA Student Reflections Entry Form and save using the following format:
    student last name.first name.school.category.age division."entryform"
    ex:  Smith.Joseph.HayfieldSS.literature.highschool.entryform
  2. Save the filei of the actual entries/works of art/lit/music, etc. using the following format: 
    student last name.first name.school.category.age division."artwork"
    ex:  Smith.Joseph.HayfieldSS.visualarts.highschool.artwork
  3. Submit the 1) Student Entry Form and 2) the Work using the CRS PTA Reflections Dropbox
  4. Note: your family must be CRS PTA members participate; if you are not already logged in, you will be prompted to do so before accessing the instructions and entry form.

DROPBOX LINKS TO SUBMIT BY CATEGORY:

 

 

 

If you have trouble uploading or questions regarding the process please email Reflections@churchillroadpta.org

nON-digital entries

If you are submitting a piece that is NOT digital, but meets the requirements listed below, please turn in the completed form along with the submission to the CRS Front Office and also send a copy of the completed form to Refections@churchillroadpta.org and indicate when the entry was delivered to the front office.

 

REMINDER - check the requirements listed above to ensure your entry will be accepted

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation Criteria

During the evaluation process, judges will consider the following criteria:

  1. Interpretation: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the work itself and the artist's statement. 

  2. Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation. 

  3. Technique: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.

Official Rules

By submitting an artwork to the “National PTA Reflections Program,” entrants accept and agree to be bound by the official rules for participation as well as the entry requirements for their specific arts category and division. Additional state program requirements may apply. Any violation of these rules may, at PTA’s discretion, result in disqualification. All decisions of the reviewers regarding this program are final and binding in all respects. (The “PTA” referred to in these rules include all PTAs reviewing the submission).

1. ELIGIBILITY. Students must participate through a local PTA/PTSA. Each student’s eligibility is determined by the state and local PTA/PTSA. A student may develop an entry inside or outside of school. 2. ARTS CATEGORIES. There are six arts categories—dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. Students may enter the National PTA Reflections Program in one or more arts categories. See each arts category rules for additional entry requirements. 3. GRADE DIVISIONS. Students may enter in the appropriate division for their grade (Primary: Preschool-Grade 2; Intermediate: Grades 3-5; Middle School: Grades 6-8; High School: Grades 9-12; Special Artist: All grades welcome). The Special Artist Division welcomes students from all grades and abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing; holding a camera) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections. Assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement, choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc.) Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Special Artist Division.

4. HOW TO ENTER. Entrants must submit their artwork and student entry form to their local PTA/PTSA program according to local and state PTA procedures. Entrants must follow requirements and instructions specific to each arts category and division. Contact local PTA programs for deadlines and additional information.

5. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. (All participants must also follow arts category and if applicable, Special Artist Division rules) y Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the current year’s theme may be submitted. y Each entry must be the original work of one student only. An adult may not alter the creative integrity of a student’s work. Because the program is designed to encourage and recognize each student’s individual creativity, help from an adult or collaboration with other students is not allowed except in the Special Artist Division. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student only. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. See the specific arts category rules and special artist division rules for details. y Each entry must contain a title and all entries must include an artist statement. The artist statement communicates what inspired the work, how it relates to the theme, and the content of the work. The statement must include at least 10 words and not exceed 100 words. y Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for background music in dance choreography and film production entries. If used in dance choreography and film production entries, background music must be cited on the entry form. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Use of PowerPoint templates are prohibited.

6. FINALIST SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION. Entries are reviewed at local, regional, state and national levels. Each PTA determines its own reviewers for the program. Entries will be reviewed primarily on how well the student uses their artistic vision to portray the theme, their originality and creativity. The National PTA Reflections® program makes no restrictions on content or subject matter in artwork submitted by the local, regional or state levels. National PTA reserves the right to use its sole discretion in selecting the submissions to be recognized at the national level. Under no condition may parents or students contact a reviewer to dispute the status/score of any entry. Each PTA in its sole discretion will select finalists for exhibition and provide awards/prizes. Awards are announced per local and state procedures. National awards and events are announced May 1, 2022 at PTA.org/ Reflections.

7. OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE. Ownership in any submission shall remain the property of the entrant, but entry into this program constitutes entrant’s irrevocable permission and consent that PTA may display, copy, reproduce, enhance, print, sublicense, publish, distribute and create derivative works for PTA purposes. PTA is not responsible for lost or damaged entries. Submission of entry into the PTA Reflections program constitutes acceptance of all rules and conditions.

8. PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. This program is administered by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and PTA affiliates. Parent groups not affiliated with National PTA are not eligible to sponsor this program.

Awards and Recognition

All CRS participants will be recognized. Student winners from the local level have the opportunity to move up through their council (Fairfax County Council of PTAs), district (Northern Virginia District PTA), and state (Virginia PTA) programs to the national level. Learn more about the National PTA Reflections awards. 

2022-2023 Reflections Awards - Results

 

Results of the FCCPTA to be announced late November 2022, subsequent rounds following.

 

Questions? Please email our Reflections Coordinator.