National PTA Reflections Program
The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home. It offers students opportunities to express themselves creatively by creating original works of art in six different art categories: Visual Arts, Literature, Photography, Musical Composition, Dance Choreography, or Film Production.
The Reflections program is organized as a multi-level competition.
School > County > State > National
Students artworks are grouped by division:
- Primary (PreK - Grade 2)
- Intermediate (Grade 3 -5)
- Middle (Grade 6 - 8)
- High (Grade 9 - 12)
- Accessible Arts (504/IEP students; all entries go to state)
Students submit their entries within an art category and division.
All entries for the Reflections contest are inspired by a common theme which is updated annually.
This Year’s Theme
The 2026-27 theme is “What My Culture Means to Me”
“What My Culture Means to Me” asks students to think about culture not only as something they inherit, but also something they live, celebrate, question and share. It encourages them to consider the people, places, traditions and values that have shaped their lives, and share those reflections through the arts.
See https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections/for-students-and-families#explore for theme information.
Eligibility
Any currently enrolled GHE student may participate in the local Reflections program. The student participates in one of Primary or Intermediate or Accessible Arts division. A student may submit artwork in multiple artistic categories. The program is free; there is no cost to participate.
How A Student Participates
1. Understand the theme and learn about the creative requirements and scoring criteria.
In particular, the artwork must be the sole creative work of the student. Plagiarized entries are disqualified. The use of copyrighted material is not allowed with certain exceptions. See
the category guidelines for more details.
Artificial intelligence (AI) may not be used to generate their entry. Parents or guardians may provide a supporting role such as obtaining supplies, uploading files or submitting forms but not in creating the artwork or artistic statement. Students in the Accessible Arts Division may have additional non-artistic accommodations (use of adaptive technologies, assistance in typing or transcription).
2. Create the artwork inspired by the theme then prepare a digital copy for submission. For example, if the student make a physical drawing in the Visual Arts category, then the student (or parent) can scan the artwork and submit the image file.
3. Make sure the submitted entry conforms to North Carolina PTA Reflections file size and length requirements. Because entries are judged blindly, no names, bylines or credits should appear on the artwork. Artwork files must also follow required filename conventions.
| Artistic Category | Accepted File Formats | Size and Length Requirements | Comments (Additional rules may apply) |
| Dance | AVI, MP4 | Smaller than 200MB. Video must not exceed 5 minutes. |
Cite background music. Student must choreograph (can perform or have others perform). |
| Film | AVI, MP4 | Smaller than 200MB. Video must not exceed 5 minutes. |
Student must be screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer. Cite background music. |
| Literature | Smaller than 3 MB. Work must not exceed 2,000 words. |
Handwritten on 8.5x11” paper or typed in PDF format allowed. Stories, poems, essays, scripts are allowed. |
|
| Music | MP3 | Smaller than 200 MB. Piece must not exceed 5 minutes. | Scores are required for middle and high school divisions. Score must be in PDF format. Student must compose (can perform or have others perform). |
| Photography | JPG, JPEG, PNG | Smaller than 3 MB. Single photo only. |
No collages. Digital editing allowed. Min. resolution 640x960 pixels. |
| Visual Arts | JPG, JPEG, PNG | Smaller than 3 MB per image or photo. | 2-dimensional art requires 1 photo or image. 3-dimensional art requires 3 photos at different angles. |
4.Write an artistic statement of 10-100 words per entry. Complete the PDF student entry form here
The student entry form requires that a parent or guardian signature. You can upload the signed student entry form when you submit the artwork at the next step.
5. Submit the artwork in the Google Form https://forms.gle/aTdSS7sxTMdvGXPh9
by the due date October 13, 2026 11:59PM. The Google Form asks many of the same questions from the student entry form, but both are needed.
6. The top 2 winners in each artistic category at GHE advance to Wake County Reflections by Nov 1, 2026 for county-level judging. Entries in the Accessible Arts division go to NC State level judging.
More Information
Reflections program information is available from multiple sources.
Sometimes rules and information at the national, state and county level may be inconsistent. For example, file size limits may differ at county and state levels. We follow the more restrictive rules to ensure entries won’t disqualify at higher levels of judging. If a student is in doubt about the rules or requirements, please contact your local Reflections chairperson for help.
The National PTA page provides detailed information about the Theme and use of copyrighted materials.
NC PTA page provided technical requirements on file size and naming conventions and state level judging deadlines.
Wake County PTA Council page provides useful information about Wake County participation and past county level winners and county deadlines.
Any questions? Please contact the local Reflections Chairperson: ngalex8@gmail.com
