PTA Reflections Contest
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Lancaster Elementary School PTA is participating in the National PTA's Reflections program. This program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.
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Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
The theme for the 2023-2024 program year is "I Am Hopeful Because..." Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts. Specific guidelines for each category are listed below.
RULES FOR PARTICIPATION:
Students may enter in one or more arts categories. Only new pieces of artwork inspired by the theme “I Am Hopeful Because…”may be submitted. Each entry must be the original work of one student only. Only one student may be recognized as the award recipient for each entry. Other individuals may appear in or perform a student’s work, but the work itself must be the creative product of one student. Use of copyrighted material is prohibited, except for background music in dance choreography and film production entries when cited on the Student Entry Form.
The Student Entry Form and St. Tammany Parish Consent Form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian. DEADLINE for entry and forms is DECEMBER 8, 2023. Click here for the entry form.
Please note: Lancaster falls into two divisions: INTERMEDIATE (Grades (3-5) and MIDDLE SCHOOL (Grades 6-8), as indicated on the entry form.
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ARTS CATEGORIES:
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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 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4 or AVI format. Click here from more specific rules and guidelines.
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Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. 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. Video file must not exceed 5 minutes in length and 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte) in file size and be in MP4 or AVI format. Click here from more specific rules and guidelines.
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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, PDF file. Click here from more specific rules and guidelines.
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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 recording 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). Click here from more specific rules and guidelines.
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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. 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, and PNG. Click here from more specific rules and guidelines.
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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 mounted on sturdy material and 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. Click here from more specific rules and guidelines.
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Special Artist: Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division OR grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities. Click here for more information.
JUDGING:
All entries are judged on three criteria:
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Interpretation of Theme (40 pts.) How closely the piece relates to the theme, based on the artwork itself and the artist statement.
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Creativity (30 pts.) How creative and original the piece is in its conception of the theme and its presentation.
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Technical Skill (30 pts.) The level of skill demonstrated in the basic principles/techniques of the arts area.
DEADLINE: DECEMBER 8, 2023
SUBMIT ENTRIES & CONSENT FORMS to grants.lespta@gmail.com or to teacher (if assigned)
If you have any questions, please contact the Lancaster Elementary PTA Reflections Chair:
Judith Champagne
504-657-9607
Thank you and good luck!