National PTA Reflections Arts Competition 2025-26

Reflections Theme “I Belong!” 

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Reflections Program is a National PTA arts recognition program that encourages students from Pre-K to Grade 12 to create original artwork inspired by an annual theme. The program aims to celebrate student creativity, promote artistic literacy, and increase access to the arts for all students, including the Accessible Arts division for students with disabilities.

Reflections is a National PTA arts competition that provides an opportunity for students to use their creative talents. Reflections takes original student submissions, inspired by this year’s theme, “I Belong!” Entries must be inspired by this student-selected theme. Students participate by submitting entries to their local PTSA and they select which works to advance to the city level. Works are then further judged with opportunities for advancement to state and national levels.

How To Apply

Refer to the Student Entry Guidelines Tab on the National PTA Reflections website for complete information about each of the six different art areas. Only original works of art are accepted.

Students submit original works of art from the following categories

1. Literature – works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics.
   • Refer to the Student Entry Guidelines Tab
2. Music Composition – original musical composition, with or without words.
   • Refer to the Student Entry Guidelines Tab
3. Photography: color or black and white, included techniques: photogram, negative sandwich, and multiple exposure.
   • Refer to the Student Entry Guidelines Tab
4. Visual Arts: drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor & t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework & leather tooling.
   • Refer to the Student Entry Guidelines Tab
5. Film/Video: original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film.
   • Refer to the Student Entry Guidelines Tab
6. Choreography/Dance: originally choreographed dance composition.
   • Refer to the Student Entry Guidelines Tab

There is also a Special Artist Division option for students with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Refer to the Student Entry Guidelines Tab.

Deadline For Entries: Monday December 15, 2025 at 6 p.m.

Submit entries: In person deliver to Matthew Harkleroad’s classroom or email digital files to Reflections@BallardHighPTSA.org

Questions?

Please email the BHS PTSA Reflections Committee at Reflections@BallardHighPTSA.org

Thanks to Ballard HS PTSA Reflections Committee: Kim Flin, Liz Mazzarella and Ballard HS Teacher Matthew Harkleroad.