Reflections Art Program

PTA’S REFLECTIONS ART PROGRAM BRINGS ART TO LIFE ACROSS THE NATION

The 2025-2026 Reflections theme is I Belong…

Artworks are submitted first to school-level PTAs, where they are first recognized, celebrated and judged by grade-level divisions, while a non-judged Special Artists division celebrates student artists with special needs. School PTAs then choose a selection of entries to be judged by local PTA units, which are then sent on to councils and then districts for consideration. The final artworks submitted to New Hampshire State PTA by districts are then considered for Outstanding Interpretation, Awards of Excellence or Awards of Merit. Outstanding Interpretation and Award of Excellence entries then go on to represent New Hampshire in the final National PTA judging round.

FAQs

Q. What are the available categories?

A. Students may enter one or more of the following categories:

Visual Arts

Dance Choreography

Film Production

Literature

Music Composition

Photography

Q. How does my student enter?

A. The Official entry forms will be printed and distributed to HCS students, or you can access them via the "Downloadable Student Entry Form" below. HMS students will have access to this through the art teacher. 

Q. What are the rules for each category?

A. Details about each category are noted below. Hampstead School District Student rules with submission details are in this form. Rules to Enter 

Visual Arts: Works of both fine and design arts are accepted, including but not limited to: Architecture (2D/3D), carpentry, ceramics, collages, photographic collages (multiple photos cut/pasted), digital art and graphics (drawings /paintings/ illustration), crafts, design, dioramas, drawing, fiberwork, jewelry, kites, metal etching/punch work, mobiles, painting, printmaking, sculpture and wind chimes. Reproductions or enlargements of other artwork are not accepted. 

2D artwork (e.g., painting) must include at least one digital image of artwork for judging. Dimensions must not exceed 24x30 inches, including matting. Paper entries must be mounted on sturdy material. Framed artwork is not accepted.

3D artwork (e.g., sculpture) must include at least 3 photos of artwork at different angles. Artwork containing loose materials and/or requiring assembly/repair from transporting is not accepted. Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG.  Visual Arts Rules

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. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted file formats: MP4, MOV, AVI. Submit CD/DVD/USB Drive in 9X12 inch envelope with Student Entry Form in page protector taped to envelope.

Dance Rules

Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or multimedia presentation. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. All screenwriting, directing and editing must be done by the student producer. If background music is used, cite it on the entry form. Video file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: AVI, MOV, MP4. Submit CD/DVD or USB Drive in 9X12 inch envelope with Student Entry Form in page protector taped to envelope. Film Rules

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. Writing must not exceed 2,000 words and may be handwritten or typed. Accepted formats: Single-sided print on 8 ½x11” paper and pdf file in a 9X12 envelope or page protector. Literature Rules

Music Composition: All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Audio file must not exceed 5 min. and 1 GB in size. Accepted formats: MP3, WAV. Notation (score/tablature) in PDF format is only required for middle school. Submit CD/DVD/USB Drive in 9X12 inch envelope with Student Entry Form in page protector taped to envelope. Notation should be single-sided print on 8 ½ X 11 paper. Music Rules

Photography: A single photo, panoramic, photomontage (one print of multiple original photos), a multiple exposure, negative sandwich or photogram. Original black-and-white and color images. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited. Print image dimensions must be no smaller than 3x5 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches. Accepted print formats: Mounted on mat or poster board no larger than 11x14 inches. Framed prints are not accepted. Digital image dimensions must be at least 640x960 (pixels) and 300 dpi (resolution). Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG. Photography Rules

Q. What happens if my child wins at the local level in Hampstead? 

A: They will have their entry presented at the NH State Competition for scoring in March. The date is TBA. 

Q. What happens if my child's entry places at the state competition? Do they win anything?

A: They will have their entry sent to the national level. They will also earn a spot at the NH State Convention the following year to be recognized during the luncheon in November. 

Q. What happens if my child wins at national level? What do they receive? 

A: Of the national-level submissions, over 200 student Reflections participants are provided prizes and scholarships and their works are showcased and exhibited. Specific prizes will be announced soon.

https://sites.google.com/site/nhpta2/reflections