SUBMISSIONS DUE: November 11 2024
This year's theme is "Accepting Imperfection".
Here's a link to the Reflections webpage: Simpson Middle School PTSA - Reflections
** PRIZES**
- All participants will be invited to a reception.
- All entries will receive Certificate of Participation.
- Simpson PTSA will award 1st and 2nd place for each category (Dance, Music, Film, Literature, Photography, and Visual arts) in each grade. Winners in each category in each grade will advance to County and move forward.
** PLEASE READ** IMPORTANT SUBMISSION INFORMATION
- Entries will be accepted only through this Google form --> <share link when available>
- Student or parent (on behalf of student) will need a Gmail account to submit the form. Please take a moment to set it up if you don't have a Gmail account.
- NO physical copies of entries will be collected.
- Submit only one entry per form.
- You can submit multiple entries in the same category, but use a new form each time.
- You can submit entries in different categories, but you must use a new form each time.
- Visual art 2D and Visual art 3D will be judged as separate categories. Please read entry requirements below.
- Rules per category available here
I. CHOOSE AN ARTS CATEGORY
Students can submit an entry in any of six arts areas. Only original works of art are accepted. This is your chance to express who you are as an individual through one or more categories.
| Dance Choreography: Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Videofile must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4, MOV, or AVI format. |
| Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. Software can be used to create an entry but only to enhance and/or present the work, not provide the primary design. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Videofile must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4, MOV, or AVI format. |
| Literature: Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include prose, poetry, reflective essay, screen play and play script, narrative, and short story. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is also attached. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Writingmust not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted formats: Single-sided print on 8 ½x11” paper, PDF file. |
| Music Composition: All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Software may be used to produce an audio recording. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use ofcopyrighted material is prohibited. An audio recording of the composition must be included and must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size. Accepted audio file formats include: MP3 and WAV. Notation(score/tablature) in PDF format is only required for middle and high school divisions. In place of a notated score entrant may include a written reflective statement that provides a musically technical explanation of how you wrote the music (100 words or less). |
| Photography: Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages and collections of photos are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques including but not limited to, multiple exposure, negative sandwich and photogram. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited; however, photographs may include public places, well-known products, trademarks or certain other copyrighted material as long as that copyrighted material is incidental to the subject matter of the piece and/or is a smaller element of a whole. Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. Framed prints are not accepted. Digitalimage dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. |
| Visual Arts: Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: architectural drawing and models, ceramics, collage, computer generated images and graphics, crafts, drawing, fashion clothes and jewelry, fiber work, mixed media, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited.
2D artworks must be no larger than 24x30 inches with matting. Framed entries are not accepted. Include one digital image of artwork with your submission.
3D artwork submissions must contain 3 digital images of artwork at different angles. Image(s) are used for artwork identification, judging and exhibition purposes. Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, and PNG. |
 | Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Accessible Arts Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. The Accessible Arts Division welcomes all grades and all abilities and offers non-artistic accommodations (e.g. adaptive technology; transcribing; holding a camera) for students to participate fully in PTA Reflections. Student assistants must refrain from being involved in the artistic process (e.g. developing an artist statement, choreography, music lyrics, storyboards, etc. Student recognition and awards are announced as part of the Special Artist Division. Option 1. Enter in Grade-Level Divisions: Regardless of age, students with special needs may enter in the grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. Students may not receive assistance other than that which is allowed for all children. The divisions are as follows: Primary (preschool – grade 2); Intermediate (grades 3-5); Middle School (grades 6-8); High School (grades 9-12). Students are recognized and awarded prizes as part of the general student population without regard to special needs or challenges. Option 2. Enter in Special Artist Division: Eligible students entering the Special Artist Division create their own artwork, but may receive non-artistic accommodation and assistance from an adult. Students are recognized and awarded prizes as part of the Special Artist Division. |
II. REVIEW CRITERIA
- Interpretation: How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the artwork 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.
III. SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY
ENTRIES DUE: November 11 2024 (No late entries accepted).
WIN AWARDS AND PRIZES!
Be considered for local, regional, state and national level awards and prizes. Learn more about the national-level awards and events.
REFLECTIONS THEME SEARCH
The search is on for a future Reflections theme! Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme.
Help National PTA choose the theme idea that will spark fun and creativity during a future Reflections program year. Past themes and duplicate submissions will not be considered. Student submitting the winning entry will receive $100 prize from National PTA.
To participate, complete this form by Friday, November 1 2024
