38th Annual Akron-Summit Holocaust Arts and Writing Contest

Entries Due by January 23rd, 2026

Drop visual art entries off at the the main lobby of the Pry Building, 1180 S Main St, Akron, OH 44301. It is the Job & Family Services Office from 11:00am until 6:00pm on Friday, January 23rd, 2026 . 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. 

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.

2026 Contest Theme: Holocaust & Genocide: The Importance of Hope & Resistance

2026 Writing Contest Entry Form

2026 Visual Art Contest Entry Form

2026 Reliable Holocaust Resources for this year’s theme The Importance of Hope & Resistance

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:

2026 Theme: “Holocaust & Genocide: The Importance of Hope & Resistance” 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 ‘Holocaust & Genocide: The Importance of Hope & Resistance 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 14th, 2026, 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.