Our art teacher (one teacher for 3 schools)puts on a 3-school art contest each year. All the entries are displayed and the winners earn art supplies and a plaque. When she asks, we usually help fund the prizes.

Hallwil: There are numerous contests not only for art but also writing, music, etc. that are provided through the County and State where you live. I recommend that you ask your principal if they have received anything in the mail regarding any contests to see if where you live sponsors them. As a PTO there is no reason why you could not run your own contests regarding the arts (any and all of them).
The PTA offers quite a bit of information but this is information that is available to you if you just look around. You do not need to be a part of the PTA in order to receive some of the benefits they "tout".
Regarding the contests again, check with your Governor's office or at least the Secretary of Education for your State I am SURE they hold contests.

Hallwil - I've heard about the reflections program and it sounds good, but there are a lot of art contests out there. We have one at our school, and I know our art teacher has a couple of things she does where some of our kids are competing for county art awards or even state.

"Reflections" is often touted as a benefit of PTA membership. If our school decides to become a PTO are there other comparable programs that we can participate in?