Tennessee PTA Reflections Contest: Submission Deadline is
Friday, January 8, 2027
The Reflections Program is a multilevel contest for students who want to express their own thoughts, ideas, and unique voice creatively through their artwork and are recognized and celebrated for their achievements! All students (Pre-K to 12th Grade) attending PTA schools across Tennessee and those participating on an At-Large Basis have an opportunity to be creative by getting inspired by this year’s winning student theme (What My Culture Means to Me). They can submit original artwork in any (or all) of the six main art categories. The contest has 3-4 levels, depending on your area: school (local), council unit (if applicable), state (Tennessee) and national.
The six main art categories include dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. Additionally, there is an Accessible Arts Division, an option for students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA, Section 504. We encourage all leaders to read through all the specific category details/rules below and choose which categories work for your students and program. Leaders may choose to offer one, many, or all categories at their local and council units.
Reflections Art Contest-Get Started By Following The Steps Below:
- STEP 1: Register Your School PTA (Local) and Council Unit for Reflections HERE
- STEP 2: Name Your Reflections Leader(s) for Your School PTA (Local) and Council Units by emailing the Tennessee PTA at reflections@tnpta.org the name and email address of the point person(s) for your program.
- STEP 3: Make Your Plan: Start Your Program by getting All of the Info and this Year’s Contest Promotional Materials on The National PTA Website. You may also purchase theme posters here.
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- Set Your Local Program Dates
- Verify Your Council Unit Program Dates (If Applicable)
- Find the Participation Rules for each category to publish to parents and The Official Rules with Fillable Student Entry Form below.
- Know The State Deadline: Electronic entries from local and council units are due to Tennessee PTA on or before: Friday, January 8, 2027 via REFLECTIONS: National PTA Student Entry Portal. Don’t forget to hit submit!
- Only units/councils in good standing qualify for student awards. Compliance includes proof of 990 filed with the IRS, Audit Report filled with Tennessee PTA, membership dues paid and current bylaws approved by TN PTA.
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- STEP 4: Kick Off Your Program at Your School – Best Practice during National Arts In Education Week (September 13-19), but not required as there is still plenty of time!
- Announce the theme and your program dates in your school using flyers, through principal announcements (calls & emails to parents too!), and on your social media PTA pages.
- Make sure to send out Student Entry Forms and Participation Rules to all parents via email and/or sending forms home with students with a Reflections promotional flyer.
- STEP 5: Run Your Contest and work with your Council Unit Reflections Leaders if applicable
- STEP 6: Collect All Entries for Judging (Securing 3-4 Judges is recommended)
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- Each entry must have a completed Student Entry Form
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- STEP 7: Order for student awards and certificates at Shoppta.com.
- STEP 8: Celebrate All Students Artwork and Announce Council or State Qualifiers via School Awards Ceremony
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- Don’t forget to recognize your students on social media, school announcements, and/or principal parent emails
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- STEP 9: Submit Top 3-5 Winners in each Art Category onto the next level (Council or State)
Additional Reflections Details and Documents:
Expanding Access to Program Details
National PTA has expanded guidance for participants and PTA/PTSAs of all levels to provide guidance and tips for participating and increase overall understanding of the program. To offer clearer and easier direction to access this information, National PTA has created 3 new, publicly available webpages: Craft an Entry, PTA Leader, and Student and Families at pta.org. Click on Programs, then the Reflections drop-down menu.
The Portal Process
Local units and councils must complete the online registration (required annually) along with entering the student information on all entries advancing to the state level for judging. The online registration process may be initiated by completing STEP 1 above. Local units and councils should also upload the students’ artwork though the Student Entry Portal for those entries being submitted to Tennessee PTA for judging. The online registration provides the means to submit artwork online. Submitted entries must be kept by submitting units in case it is a winning submission and needs to be brought to the TNPTA student awards ceremony for display.
Find more information about the portal process at :National PTA Student Entry Portal
Find the instructions to use the Portal at https://www.pta.org/docs/default-source/files/programs/reflections/_evergreen-program-materials/student-entry-portal/local-leaders-portal-instructions_2025-26.pdf
TNPTA Arts Enhancement Grant
To enhance your Reflections program resources, you may apply for a grant through TNPTA Arts Enhancement Grant Application. Grant applications for the 2026-2027 program year are accepted at any time.
More information, questions, or need help? Contact reflections@tnpta.org.
Documents and Rules:
Tennessee PTA – Local PTA Leader’s Guide in English (Spanish)
The Official Rules with Fillable Student Entry Form (English – PDF | Word), en español – PDF | Word)
Rules for Participation:
Accessible Arts Division Rules in English (Spanish)
Dance Choreography Rules in English (Spanish)
Film Production Rules in English (Spanish)
Literature Rules in English (Spanish)
Music Composition Rules in English (Spanish)
Photography Rules in English (Spanish)
Visual Arts Rules in English (Spanish)
Tracking forms for local/council units to use internally
Council Unit | Local PTA Unit
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