National PTA has established some new rules this year, Review your category rules closely. 

Literature
Visual Arts
Photography
Musical Composition
Film Production
Dance Choreography

You can get entries shrink wrapped at Kinko’s, Office Depot or Office Max.  Office Max is best for projects over 11”x14”.

Be sure to look closely to at your entry form.  Each category has a specific requirements of information for you to fill out

Artists statements used to be optional, they are now required.  Be sure to include your artist’s statement

Literature entries should

Please make sure your literature entry has all the following

• Your literature entry must be based on the theme “Diversity means…”
• Your literature piece must not exceed 2,000 words
• Entries may be hand written or typed
• Illustrated entries, including “books,” with pictures drawn by the student are acceptable; however, only literary content is judged.
• Collections of poems or short stories are not accepted.
• Entries are to reflect grade-appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• Students may have their entries typed by another person as long as the original work or a copy of the original work is attached.
• Submit literature entries on 8 1/2 inches by 11 paper.
• Entries should be printed single sided only.
• Number all pages.
• If more than one page is a part of the entry, please clip the pages together. No staples, report covers or folders, please.
• The required Title and required Artist Statement should be included.
• Pack the Literature Entry, Student entry Form, Consent Form (s) and Artist Statement in a large manila envelope that opens and closes with a clasp. Do not glue envelope shut, the envelope should be 8.5 X 11 inches the forms inside should not be folded.
• Label the OUTSIDE of the clasp side of envelope as follows: state abbreviation. arts category.grade level.student last name.student first name

Visual Arts entries should

Please make sure your photography entry has the following

• Your visual arts entry must be based on the theme “Diversity means…”
• All art must be flat and may not be more than 3/8 inch thick (This includes all two-dimensional materials and images, small, flat that have maximum surface contact with the face of the image.
• No 3-D work extending from the surface.
• No art may exceed 24 inches, including a mat.
• Entries may be submitted on paper, canvas, board, hot or cold pressboard, or canvas (may not exceed 3/8- inch thickness.
• Mount all paper or canvas entries on sturdy cardboard mats, NOT in wood, metal, plastic, or glass frames.
• Protect your work with SHRINK- WRAP or a TRANSPARENT PLASTIC cover is optional but highly recommended.
• Lamination is discouraged because it can permanently damage the surface of the art work.
• Work will not be accepted: Sculpture, ceramic, and other 3-D work, Stained glass and jewelry, regardless of thickness, reproductions or enlarged of others work.
• NOT ACCEPTED: Copyrighted cartoon characters or other such material.
• Label the Visual Art entries on the back of the art work in lowercase letters exactly in this order: state abbreviation. arts category.grade level,student last name.student first namePlease
• Pack Student entry Form, Consent Form (s) and Artist Statement in a large manila envelope that opens and closes with a clasp.Do not glue envelope shut, the envelope should be 8.5 X 11 inches the forms inside should not be folded.
• Attach the manila envelope to the protective backing of your art work with masking tape. Tape only two sides of the envelope, not the TOP or BOTTOM of the envelope.

Photography entries should

Please make sure your photography entry has the following

• Your photography must be based on the theme “Diversity means…”
• A single print or collage may not exceed 11 inches by 14 inches, including a mat.
• Mount all prints on cardboard mat, poster board, or some other sturdy material.
• Protect the work in shrink-wrap or transparent plastic cover is optional but highly recommended.
• Framed entries, original film (negatives or transparencies), and multidimensional pieces are not accepted.
• 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 a smaller element of a whole
• The resulting work cannot try to establish an association between the student and the trademark/business/material, or influence the purchase/non-purchase of the trademarked good.
• Student Entry Form must include dimensions of work in inches, including mat. Give location and date of shot. Describe the type of camera.
• Photo must be in a protective covering.
• Pack Student entry Form, Consent Form (s) and Artist Statement in a large manila envelope that opens and closes with a clasp. Do not glue envelope shut, the envelope should be 8.5 X 11 inches the forms inside should not be folded.
• Attach the manila envelope to the back of your protective covering ON TOP of photograph with masking tape.
• Label the OUTSIDE of the envelope as follows: state abbreviation. arts category.grade level,student last name.student first name

Musical Composition entries should

Pease make sure your music composition entry has the following

• Your music composition must be based on the theme “Diversity means…”
• Entries may not exceed 5 minutes.
• Submit a CD of the performance of the composition.
• The composer is not required to be the performer (or one of the ) performer(s).
• Do not place the recording device on top of an instrument or speakers.
• Turn off all noise-making devices in the room.
• Make sure the music is audible on recording, take a short test and listen to the quality before recording.
• Return to the beginning of the CD and record 2 seconds of silence; then start performing your composition. Finish with another 2 seconds of silence.
• Save the entry as an .mp3 file. As a file on CD, not as a CD/DVD movie.
• Submit the CD in a plastic or cardboard container; identify both the CD and the container with the file name as indicated below.
• Name the file in lower case letters exactly in order:

state abbreviation. arts category.grade level,student last name.student first name.mp3

• Pack Student entry Form, Consent Form (s) and Artist Statement in a large manila envelope that opens and closes with a clasp. Do not glue envelope shut, the envelope should be 8.5 X 11 inches the forms inside should not be folded.

Film Production entries should

Pease make sure your Film Production entry has the following

• Your film production must be based on the theme: “Diversity means…”
• Entries must not exceed 5 minutes.
• Submit a DVD of performance of the film.
• The student submitting the entry is not required to appear in the film.
• The styles should have the following: Animation, Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Media presentations.
• PowerPoint presentations will not be accepted!
• Entries must be original, cutting and pasting from other sources is not permitted!
• Use a tripod to hold camera still, make sure there is plenty of lighting.
• Turn off all noise in the room so that the background music (if any) is audible on the recording.
• Save the entry as an .flv file. As a file on the DVD, not as a DVD movie.
• Pack the DVD, Student entry Form, Consent Form (s) and Artist Statement in a large manila envelope that opens and closes with a clasp. Do not glue envelope shut, the envelope should be 8.5 X 11 inches the forms inside should not be folded.
• Label the OUTSIDE of the clasp side of the envelope as follows: state abbreviation. arts category.grade level,student last name.student first name.pdf

Dance Choreography entries should

Please make sure your Dance Choreography entry has all the following

• Your music choreography must be based on the theme “Diversity means…”
• Entries must not exceed 5 minutes.
• Submit a DVD of a performance of the choreography.
• The choreographer is not required to be the (or one of the ) performer(s).
• Use a tripod to hold the camera still, make sure there is plenty of lighting.
• Turn off all noise in the room so that the background music (if any) is audible on the recording.
• Save the entry as a .flv file. As a file on the DVD,not as a DVD movie.
• Please complete and sign Student entry Form, Consent Form (s) and Artist Statement all must be included for all individuals.
• Submit the DVD in a plastic or cardboard container; identify both the DVD and the container with the file name, as indicated below.
• Label the OUTSIDE of the clasp side of the envelope as follows: state abbreviation. arts category.grade level.student last name.student first name.flv