2025-2026 PTA Reflections Arts Contest open for submissions in fine arts until Oct. 17

MADISON – All students in Madison City Schools have an outlet to pursue their skills in fine arts with the annual National PTA Reflections Arts Contest.

Each year, more than 300,000 students nationwide create original works of art that follow a theme. Locally, Reflections will recognize top-rated MCS students. Local winners will advance to the district level and then possibly to state-level evaluations. Students who excel at the national level may be eligible for college scholarships.

Deadline for students to submit their work is Oct. 17.

In 2024, the PTA Reflections Arts contest drew 350 entrants across Madison City Schools. From that total, 38 students advanced as state winners and two were national winners.

Reflections taps the creativity in youth from all grades. National PTA has sponsored the contest for more than 50 years; locally, teachers and parent volunteers in Madison schools promote and guide entrants.

This year’s theme is “I Belong,” which gives students a chance to share their voices and visions with original work.

Student can choose among six categories for projects, which relate to visual, aural and tactile experiences. The following list offers suggestions on defining a project:

• Dance Choreography — Find a song that captures your feelings about ‘belonging.’ Use movement as a form of artistic expression. Submit as MP4 or AVI file less than 1,000 MB.

• Film Production — Create a documentary about your own experiences with ‘belonging’ . . . or ‘exclusion.’ Submit film production as MP4 or AVI file less than 1,000 MB.

• Literature — Describe your encounters by identifying different characters, settings and plot points that help to tell how ‘belonging’ feels. Submit as PDF file.

• Music Composition — Compose instrumental music that evokes ‘belonging.’ Use melodies, harmonies and rhythms to express emotions. Submit as MP3 or WAV file less than 1,000 MB. Middle and high school students must submit a score, tablature (musical notation that uses fingering instead of pitch) or technical explanation.

• Photography — Set, stage and capture an image that symbolizes ‘belonging,’ like group activities or shared spaces. Use symbols to create a visual narrative. Submit as JPG, JPEG or PNG file at least 640 by 960 pixels at 300 dpi.

• Visual Arts – Create collages using magazine cutouts, photographs and other materials for cohesive image. Focus on your personal definition of ‘belonging.’ Submit as series of digital photos as JPEG, JPG or PNG files.

Students can enter more than one category.

Volunteers with experience in each category will judge students’ work. Winners will receive email in December.

For more information, call Alabama PTA at 334-834-2501, email alabamapta@yahoo.com or visit mcsarts.org