Reflections Art Program

2025-26 Theme: "I Belong!" | "Y Pertenezco!"

2025-26 Reflections Theme

The National PTA Reflections program encourages students from Pre-K through 12th grade to express themselves through various artistic categories including dance, film, literature, music, photography, and visual arts. Students may submit multiple entries in any or all categories, with opportunities to advance through Council, State, and National levels. Scholarships and prizes are available for top entries.

Participation requires that students, or a member of their immediate family, hold a current membership in their local PTA. Entries are initially judged at the local campus level, with the potential to progress to Council, Texas, and National PTAs.

Student Participation

The Reflections program is open to all Texas students who meet the necessary requirements below:

Schools Supported by a Local PTA/PTSA:

Students must attend a school with a Local PTA/PTSA, or students must attend a school which is defined within the service area of a community-based Local PTA/PTSA; and
The student or at least one person from their primary household must be a current member of the Local PTA/PTSA where the student is participating. Each Local PTA/PTSA may determine a date by which the member must join.

Home-School Families, Virtual Schools, and Non-PTA Schools:

Students who attend a school that is not supported by a Local PTA/PTSA may participate through the Lone Star Statewide PTA, if the student or at least one person of their primary household is a member of this PTA no later than October 31. Learn more about Lone Star Statewide PTA and how you can join!
Eligible students may enter any or all of the six art categories. Multiple entries within a single arts category are permitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student and created specifically for the Reflections program based on the national theme. Each entry must also conform to the guidelines developed by National PTA.
Visit past Reflections Galleries to see examples of entries from that were awarded by the Texas PTA in previous years.

ENTRY FORMS AND RULES

Students should download the Program Rules to ensure their art meets the requirements for each art category. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Student Entry form.

Student Program Rules Packet English | Spanish
Student Entry Form English | Spanish

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Each level of Reflections judging will determine how and when their participating students are celebrated. Here is an outline of the awards and recognition received if the entry advances to Texas PTA and National PTA.

Learn more about the Reflections Program:

Reflections has been a staple arts program in many schools for over 50 years. Through the efforts of our Local PTAs, millions of students have found a creative outlet in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.
With positive recognition as the focus of this program, rather than competition, students of all ages and abilities can experience the benefits of creative expression and help in finding their own voice in telling their unique story.
Started in 1969 by Mary Lou Anderson, then Colorado PTA President, Reflections has grown to be one of the largest nationwide programs of its kind, with more than 200,000 students participating annually.
Visit past Reflections Galleries to see examples of entries that were awarded by Texas PTA in past years. And see last year's State and National results.

Start dreaming up the 2027-28 reflections theme!

Each year, National PTA hosts an annual Reflections Theme Search Contest to select one student theme to inspire student artists in Reflections. A team of National PTA volunteers selects one winning student's theme based on originality and creativity. The winning student is awarded $100 and national recognition.

Reflections Theme Search Entry Form – Deadline to submit themes is November 5, 2025!

When suggesting a theme, judges take into consideration: