Shine A Light on Antisemitism Student Arts Contest
Student art competition featuring visual arts, playwrights, and short films addressing antisemitism and Holocaust remembrance with cash prizes.
The Shine A Light on Antisemitism Student Arts Contest is a multi-disciplinary competition designed to empower young artists in Tampa Bay to use their creativity as a voice against hate. Now in its fifth year, the contest has evolved from a visual arts competition for grades 4-12 in Hillsborough County to a comprehensive program spanning Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties, with opportunities for college and university students.
The competition includes three categories: Visual Arts Contest, Playwrights Contest, and Short Film Contest (new this year). Students of all faiths and ethnicities are encouraged to participate. The Visual Arts Contest invites two-dimensional artwork addressing modern-day antisemitism or Holocaust commemoration using acrylic, oil, watercolor, charcoal, ink, pastels, digital photography, or graphic design. The Playwrights Contest challenges students grades 6-12 and college to submit original one-act scripts exploring antisemitism or Holocaust remembrance, limited to 30 pages and 10-minute performance time. The Short Film Contest invites middle school through college filmmakers to create films of 1-15 minutes centered on antisemitism or Holocaust impact.
Winning artwork will be showcased in a traveling exhibition throughout Tampa Bay venues including Tampa City Hall, Tampa International Airport, and the University of South Florida. All winners will be announced and celebrated at the Yom HaShoah Commemorative/Shine A Light on Antisemitism Awards Event on April 13, 2026. Over 300 works have been created through this initiative since inception.