The People Next Door - Student Art, Video, and Creative Writing Contest

the people next door

Student Art and Creative Writing Contest

When we fail to learn from history, we risk repeating it.

This contest is an opportunity for students to hear the stories of South Bend’s own Holocaust survivors, then creatively respond to their experiences in an original work of art or creative writing.

The People Next Door: Witnessing the Holocaust

The People Next Door: Witnessing the Holocaust is a 37-minute documentary sharing the stories of six Holocaust survivors who lived in Europe during the Nazi period of the 1930’s and 1940’s but were able to relocate to the South Bend area.

These survivors may have been your family's neighbors, friends, or co-workers.

Students are invited to review The People Next Door documentary (or other Holocaust education resources), then create an original work of art, poetry, or prose in response. Cash prizes will be awarded in each category.

More about The People Next Door: Witnessing the Holocaust documentary
More about The People Next Door Art and Creative Writing Contest

Select details from 2025 contest submissions

2026 Dates Announced

Submission deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., online.
Gallery Opening and Awards Ceremony: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 5:00 p.m., Mishawaka Public Library

Participation is free, and open to all Michiana-area youth in grades 9-12. Nearly $2,000 in cash prizes will be awarded.

For information, watch for the 2026 Contest Packet and Guidelines to be released soon. While contest categories and guidelines will be substantially the same as the 2025 Guidelines, the 2026 Guidelines will include a new policy regarding the use of A.I. (artificial intelligence) in student submissions.

To get contest updates, join our mailing list or follow us on Facebook.

Thanks to our partners at the Mishawaka Penn Harris Public Library for again hosting the contest's exhibition.