Sections: Reflections Overview | Info for Reflections Chairs | Submission Guidelines | Past Winners

This is a summary of the most important guidelines to follow when submitting artwork in the Reflections Art Program. Click on the name of each category below to view the full rules and guidelines for that art category.

For All Entries:

• All artwork must be the original work of one student. Plagiarism is not allowed, and the use of copyright material is prohibited.
• Students can submit as many entries as they want in as many art categories as they want.
• A completed official Entry Form must be submitted with each entry, and must have both a student and parent signature.
• All students, regardless of grade division or art category, now need to fill out the Artist Statement on the Entry Form.

Literature:

• Entry can be fiction or non-fiction and include a story, poem, prose, and/or drama
• Entries cannot exceed 2000 words
• Entries should not be printed on paper larger than 8-1/2″ x 11″, and should not be mounted
• A second copy of the entry must be attached

Musical Composition:

• Entry can be a composition for voice, instruments, or a combination. The entry may not exceed five (5) minutes.
• Scores are required for Middle/Junior and Senior division entries, optional otherwise. Scores should not be mounted and should not exceed 11″ x 14″ (or for band/orchestra compositions, 11″ x 16″). However, the quality of the notation is not considered judging criteria, rather it is to aid the listener and serve as a guide to the piece.
• Students do not have to perform their composition or sing their song; they can be performed by more than one person and/or in a group.
• The recording must be submitted on an audio CD. Note that the CD may not be returned.
• Submit the CD in a plastic or cardboard container; identify both with the student’s name, grade, division, state, and year.
• Submit CD and score (if applicable) in a large manila envelope; attach the entry form to the outside of the envelope with masking tape.

Photography:

• Entry can be a single print or a collage in black & white or color
• The student must be the one who took the photography
• Entry must be mounted on a cardboard mat or poster board; maximum size (including the mat) is 11″ x 14″
• Frames, three-dimensional entries, original film (negatives), etc. are not allowed
• Place the student entry form in a sheet protector and tape it (with masking tape) to the back of the photograph

Visual Arts:

• Entry can be print, drawing, paint, collage, photographic collage, metal etching, punch work, or computer generated
• Paper/canvas entries should be mounted on a cardboard mat or poster board
• Maximum size (including the mat) is 24″ x 30″; artwork must be flat and not exceed 3/8″ thick
• Lamination is discouraged, however protecting the work with shrink-wrap or a transparent plastic cover is optional but recommended
• Place entry form in a sheet protector and tape it (with masking tape) to the back of the artwork (on top of shrink-wrap)

Dance Choreography and Film/Video:

• Dance only: Choreography must be the work of one student. Maximum of three (3) dancers. Costumes are optional, but if used, must be created by the choreographer.
• Film only: Types of entries include Animation, Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, and Media Presentations. Note: PowerPoint Presentations are not accepted.
• Film only: The student must be the director, screenwriter, and cameraperson, and be responsible for storyboarding and editing. If using a computer, the student must do all of the work.
• Entries may not exceed five (5) minutes.
• The student entering the project does not have to appear in the video.
• Credit the performers and background music on the entry form. If you used a computer to edit the movie, state the hardware and software used on the entry form.
• Due to the wide variety of dance/video styles, relationship to the theme is weighed very heavily in judging.
• Movies should be submitted as a file on a CD/DVD. Do not burn a video CD/DVD, instead burn a data CD/DVD that contains the movie as a file. Accepted file formats are MPEG-4 (.mpeg or .mpg), QuickTime (.mov or .qt), and Windows Media (.wmv). Verify that the movie can be played in a program such as QuickTime Player, Windows Media Player, or iTunes. Note that the CD/DVD may not be returned.
• Submit the CD/DVD in a plastic or cardboard container; identify both with the student’s name, grade, division, state, and year.
• Submit CD/DVD in a large manila envelope; attach the entry form to the outside of the envelope with masking tape.