DUE DATE​ Student  submission to Grimmer PTA: October 14, 2022

 How to Participate?
Individuals Register and Connect with Local PTAs
Students or parents interested in participating in the Reflections program should begin by connecting with their Local PTA. You can reach us by email on grimmerpta@gmail.com

The 2022–2023 Reflections theme is Show your voice !!

From Art to Exhibit 
Student winners from the local level have the opportunity to move up through their district, region, council and state PTA programs to the national level. National Reflections winners are announced in May and celebrated throughout the following year, starting at National PTA's Convention in June.

Awards:
State PTAs are able, but not required, to submit 30 entries in total to the national level for review - one entry per arts category, per division. Of the national-level submissions, over 200 student Reflections participants will receive the following awards from National PTA:
  • Merit Award: Bronze Medal; Certificate of Merit; Work featured in the traveling exhibition
  • Award of Excellence: $200 Young Artist Scholarship; Silver Medal; Certificate of Excellence; Work featured in the traveling exhibition
  • Outstanding Interpretation Award: $800 Young Artist Scholarship; Gold Medal; Certificate of Outstanding Interpretation; Work featured in the traveling exhibition; $200 Prize for Local PTA Unit
National PTA celebrates the national Reflections winners and their artwork starting May 1 through the following calendar year. We feature our Outstanding Interpretation winners during National PTA’s Convention in June and select featured artists at the Reflections Student Arts Showcase in January. 
What is the Reflections Program?
The National PTA’s Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts, which boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life. It allows students to be creative through the arts.
Reflections encourages students of all ages to:
  • Unleash creative talents and be inspired
  • Express themselves imaginatively in their artwork
  • Experience the fun and joy of making art
  • Tap into critical thinking skills to create art inspired by the annual theme
Receive positive recognition for their original works of art.
What type of art can be submitted?
All students attending PTA schools sponsoring the program are invited to participate and submit original artwork in one of six areas:
  • Dance Choreography
  • Literature
  • Photography
  • Film Production
  • Music Composition
  • Visual Arts
Are there categories for ages or grades categories?  
  • K-2nd
  • 3rd-5th
  • 6th-8th (Grimmer has one 6th grade class)
  • Special Artists Division ​
What is the Judging Criteria?
During the evaluation process, judges will consider the following criteria: 
Interpretation: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the work itself and the artist statement. 
Creativity: How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation. 
Technique: The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.
Judges strongly consider the interpretation of the Reflections theme during the evaluation process. It is suggested that students give their submissions a title that stands out and describes how the piece relates to the student’s personal interpretation of the theme. The following guiding questions can be useful when developing a title and artist statement:
  • How does your work relate to the theme?
  • What is your personal connection to the theme?
  • What did you use to create your work (e.g., supplies, technology, instrumentation, props, etc.)?
  • What/who was your inspiration?
*The artist’s statement is more important than creativity, skill, or overall product.
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Learn more about the program's timeline and share your experience with Reflections using #PTAReflections!

Arts Diversity Pledge

Juramento por la Diversidad de Artes
We, Grimmer PTA, are combining our efforts to advance diversity in the arts, specifically in the Reflections program. We recognize that diversity enhances and deepens the impact of the arts in our community and in our world. We understand that the arts and recognition in the arts affirm the culture and identity of all students. Supporting cultural diversity in the arts not only supports our diverse students but connects our entire community to unique and important cultural identities.
We pledge to critically reflect on where our PTA succeeds and where we have challenges when it comes to diversity in the Reflections program and in the arts. Using the National PTA beliefs for diversity, equity and inclusion, we pledge to acknowledge and incorporate the following statements into the arts and the Reflections program:
  • We Believe Diversity is Our Strength: Diversity in the arts involves bringing different ideas, perspectives, lived experiences, talents, values and world views to the table to represent the broad variety of people within the PTA family (e.g., celebrating and promoting cultural heritage in the arts like spoken word).
  • We Believe Equity Drives Our Mission: Equity in the arts means fairness in resources, opportunities and outcomes so that all students get what they need to be engaged and successful. This means creating opportunities for all students to participate in the Reflections program or the arts by providing resources, encouragement and support (e.g., investing funds in art materials or art programming).
  • We Believe Collaboration Must Be Inclusive: The arts ought to be a place where everyone feels they belong and has the opportunity to flourish and contribute at the highest level. That means tending to power dynamics where they occur and setting up a level playing field for all to engage in our work (e.g., striving for diverse judges in the Reflections review process)
Nosotros, la PTA de Grimmer, estamos uniendo nuestros esfuerzos para promover la diversidad en el arte, específicamente en el programa Reflections. Sabemos que la diversidad realza y profundiza el impacto del arte en nuestra comunidad y nuestro mundo. Entendemos que el arte y el reconocimiento del arte afirman la cultura y la identidad de los estudiantes. Al respaldar la diversidad cultural en el arte, no solo respaldamos la diversidad de nuestros estudiantes, sino que conectamos a toda la comunidad con identidades culturales singulares y destacadas.
Nos comprometemos a reflexionar seriamente dónde tienen éxito nuestra PTA y dónde encontramos retos asociados con la diversidad en el programa Reflections y en el arte. Usando las creencias de National PTA en cuanto a la diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión, nos comprometemos a reconocer e incorporar las siguientes declaraciones al arte y el programa Reflections:
  • Creemos que la diversidad es nuestra fortaleza: La diversidad en el arte implica sumar a la mesa distintas ideas, perspectivas, experiencias de vida, talentos, valores y cosmovisiones para representar a la amplia variedad de personas que conforman la familia de PTA (p.ej., celebrar y difundir el legado cultural en el arte, como la palabra hablada).
  • Creemos que la equidad impulsa nuestra misión: La equidad en el arte implica justicia en los recursos, las oportunidades y los resultados, de modo que todos los alumnos reciban lo que necesitan para comprometerse y progresar. Esto significa crear oportunidades para que todos los estudiantes participen del programa Reflections o el arte proporcionando los recursos, la motivación y el respaldo (p.ej., invertir en materiales y programación artística).
  • Creemos que la colaboración debe ser inclusiva: El arte tiene que ser un lugar en el que todos sientan que pertenecen y que tienen la oportunidad de prosperar y contribuir en el más alto nivel. Eso implica ocuparse de las dinámicas de poder cuando aparecen y configurar un campo de juego nivelado para que todos participen de nuestro trabajo (p.ej., conseguir jueces diversos en el proceso de evaluación de Reflections).