National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education because of the important role the arts play in boosting children’s confidence and success. By participating in the arts, children explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
PTA believes all students deserve the opportunity to take part in the arts, both in school and in the community. The arts can positively affect the entire school culture—especially student motivation, attitudes and attendance—which encourages students to stay in school, succeed in school, succeed in work and succeed in life!
Acting on this belief, National PTA has held the National PTA Reflections program for over 50 years. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students in pre-k through grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. National PTA announces over 200 student winners from across the country (see 2022-2023 Show Your Voice! Reflections winners) in the following arts categories:
- Dance Choreography
- Film Production
- Literature
- Music Composition
- Photography
- Visual Arts
The program provides a uniquely accessible way for students to access the arts and arts education, especially when their schools may have limited art programming, or they have other barriers to participating.
As Greenfield Elementary School PTA in Virginia shared, “The connection of the arts to the world around us is essential to the growth of all of our Greenfield students. The Reflections program allows our students to create meaningful works of art while also considering the deeper meaning associated with the theme of each year’s program.”
The Reflections program is a benefit of PTA membership. It is a very impactful way of showing your members the value your PTA or PTSA brings to your community. Reflections entries may only be submitted to active PTAs or PTSAs affiliated with National PTA from across the nation, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and DoDEA school PTAs in Europe. As part of the 2023 National PTA Virtual Reflections Student Arts Showcase, several parents and students emphasized how access to the arts and the Reflections program has drastically benefited them, including featured artist Isaac Cinnamon, who shared, “I think it’s important to have, you know, programs in place like the PTA Reflections to just keep promoting art and keep challenging, you know, kids and teenagers to create and make something.”
National PTA has a myriad of resources to walk PTA leaders through the entire process of implementing the Reflections program for the benefit of all children. And now, to help you show the value of your PTA or PTSA and grow and retain membership, National PTA has added the Reflections program to the YOU Belong in PTA suite of resources. We have a variety of YOU Belong resources available including social media graphics, pages that are ready to print in color or black and white, as well as customizable pieces and more for PTAs and PTSAs in both English and Spanish. Use the graphics and message pieces that best meet your available time and needs.
Make sure to encourage people to tune in to the Outstanding Interpretation Reflections Show Your Voice! winners celebration July 19 at 7:00 p.m. EDT on YouTube.com/NationalPTA to see the value of PTA and support your PTA or PTSA with their membership. PTA membership makes the Reflections program possible at all levels of PTA to make a difference in the lives of children and youth and to contribute to having a more successful school community. Share your Reflections and membership promotion using the hashtag #HowWePTA.
