The South Carolina Council on the Holocaust is excited to announce a partnership with Chapman University of Orange County, California to offer an art and writing contest for students in South Carolina.
The Chapman University Holocaust Art and Writing Contest is in its 26th year and offers monetary rewards of up to $400 for students and first place student winners, their parent-guardian, and their teacher will be invited to an expense-paid study trip to Los Angeles, CA!
Additionally there will be $2000 in prizes offered just to SC students who compete as well.
See below for more details on both contests.
Chapman University Art & Writing Contest
2025 Theme - What to bring when you don't know where you're going
As has been its tradition, Holocaust survivor testimony remains at the heart of the Chapman University contest. Students will listen to a full-length testimony from any of the sites listed in our materials - including the SC Council on the Holocaust - and create an art, poetry, prose, or film piece exploring what survivors "carried" with them, and reflecting upon what they, too, carry with them and why. These precious items that survivors held dear, whether they were tangible or symbolic, often connected them to their loved ones and lives before the Holocaust.
Participating students may submit one entry chosen from one of the following categories: art, film, poetry, or prose/essay. There are cash prizes for the top winners in each category and first place winners and first-place student winners in the United States, their parents/guardians, and teachers will be invited to participate in an expense-paid study trip June 23-27, 2025, to visit the Museum of Tolerance and other sites in Los Angeles, as well as to meet with members of The 1939 Society, a community of Holocaust survivors, descendants, and friends.
Schools will need to register using the contest website and participating students will need to submit their entry by digitally by February 5, 2025.
SCCH Holocaust Art & Writing Contest
Overview
In addition to the Chapman University contest that extends to students throughout the nation, the South Carolina Council on the Holocaust also sponsors its own statewide contest. The South Carolina Council on the Holocaust Art & Writing Contest for 2025 encourages students to engage in deep reflection about the experiences of Holocaust survivors and then engage in creative expression that demonstrates the results of their reflection. Most notably, the theme for this year is "What to bring when you don't know where you're going?."" More information about the them can be found at University Holocaust Art & Writing Contest
Participating students may submit one entry chosen from one of the following categories: art, film, poetry, or prose/essay.
The following prizes will be awarded by grade level:
- Middle School (Grades 5-8) - $500
- High School (Grades 9-11) - $500
- Senior Scholarship (Grade 12) - $1000
Only one award will be given for the best overall project at each level, regardless of the category (art, film, poetry, prose/essay) of the entry. Students may work in groups on an entry, but the prize must be shared among the group members. In addition, winning student entries will be posted on the SC Council on the Holocaust's website.
All entries are submitted digitally through this online submission form due April 15. Specific guidelines for each category can be found below.
The criteria for all entry types can be found 2025 SCCH Contest Overview & Criteria or Chapman University Holocaust Art & Writing Contest website.