37th Annual Akron-Summit Holocaust Arts and Writing Contest

Entries Due by February 7th, 2025

Drop visual art entries off at the Summit County Ohio Building 175 S. Main Street, Akron, OH Floor 8 from 11:00am until 6:00pm on Friday, February 7th, 2025 (Parking Garage Address is 200 South High Street- 4B there is a walkway to the building and you will get parking validation).  PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS.  Additionally, I will be there all day and am happy to assist you anyway I can with the drop off process.  If you have any trouble finding the building or need anything else on drop off day please feel free to call or text me at (234) 200-6241.  Make sure all visual art pieces have the student’s name and teacher’s last name or school discreetly written on the back. 
The building will be locked around 4:00pm so at that time you will need to call (234) 200-6241 or  330-643-2510 when you arrive to be let in.

1. Park in the Summit County Parking Deck @ 200 S. High Street. There is construction going on in the parking garage so if it’s easier to pull up out front I can meet you there with a cart.

2. Enter through the parking garage level LEVEL 4B to the Ohio Building

3. When entering, you will come into the building on the 4^th floor. Follow the arrows (and signs) to the elevator.

4. Take the elevator to the 8^th Floor and enter the Executive’s Office suite.

*A parking validation will be given to you on the 8^th floor

If you have any questions or concerns about the deadline please let me know. 

• If you have any trouble submitting your entry form email akronsummitholocausteducation@gmail.com This year is the first year of a new submission format and we will do our best to help you address any submission issues.

2025 Contest Theme: Lessons of the Holocaust: Countering Discrimination, Apathy & Denial

2025 Writing Contest Entry Form

2025 Visual Art Contest Entry Form

2025 Reliable Holocaust Resources for this year’s theme Lessons of the Holocaust: Countering Discrimination, Apathy and Denial by Barb White

ALL RESOURCES LISTED ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE AKRON-SUMMIT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY. RESOURCES FROM OUR APPROVED PREVIOUS YEARS LISTS ARE ALSO ACCEPTABLE

Visual Art Requirements & Guidelines

Consent to use photographs of minor(s) in artwork

Writing Requirements & Guidelines

Rubrics

Entry Advice:

2025 Theme: “Lessons of the Holocaust: Countering Discrimination, Apathy & Denial” Make sure all entry concepts are rooted in the Holocaust, meaning should begin in Holocaust even if it also relates to now.

Contest Winners 2025

Winners will be chosen based on interpretation of the contest theme, rooted in Holocaust, technique, originality and use of proper sources. Chosen pieces will be displayed in an exhibit at the Akron-Summit Main Library in the spring and online at AkronSummitHolocaustEducation.org.

• First, Second, Third and Fourth Place winners in each of the four categories will receive a prize as will the teacher of each first place winner. Both the Arts and the Writing Contest have a Division I (6th-8th grade) and Division II (9th-12th grade). In Jewish Culture giving money in multiples of $18 is symbolic of giving “chai” or life. Depending on number and quality of entries received not all prizes may be awarded.
  • 1st place- $324
  • 2nd place- $180
  • 3rd place- $90
  • 4th place- $36 
  • Teachers of the 1st place winners will receive $200 to purchase books from the ‘Lessons of the Holocaust: Countering Discrimination, Apathy & Denial Resource List’ above curated by Holocaust expert Barb White.
  • Monetary prizes may be distributed in the form of a Visa Gift Card
• Winners will receive certificates and their prizes on April 24th, 2025, 6:00pm-7:45pm. These will be presented at the Akron-Summit Holocaust Commemoration and Awards Ceremony at the Main Akron-Summit County Public Library Auditorium. All participants will receive a certificate of participation and be invited to the Commemoration Ceremony.