upcoming events
Creating Student-Centered Learning Spaces, Professional Development for Educators
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 3:30 – 4:30 PM | 120 Palmetto Way, Bluffton, sc 29910
A Day of educational Programming in south carolina’s lowcountry
Wednesday, September 23 at Bluffton Branch Library
On September 23, 2026 teachers in South Carolina’s Lowcountry will gather at the Bluffton Branch Library with educational professionals from the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina for a one-hour professional development session.
For nearly 50 years, the Anne Frank House has empowered young people through its internationally recognized Peer Education program, which has been implemented in more than 85 countries. As the North American partner of the Anne Frank House, the Anne Frank Center at USC is dedicated to expanding this transformative educational approach throughout the United States and Canada.
In Creating Student-Centered Learning Spaces, educators will explore the pedagogy behind the Anne Frank House's Peer Education model and discover practical strategies for fostering student voice, engagement, and collaboration in the classroom. Designed for educators across all grade levels and disciplines, this interactive session provides tools and insights that can be applied in a variety of learning environments to create more inclusive, student-centered learning experiences.
Thanks to the generous support of the Farbstein Foundation, four participating schools will be selected to receive an Anne Frank Center traveling exhibit and Peer Guide Training at no cost, providing students with a unique opportunity to engage with this internationally recognized educational model.
Following the professional development session, participants are invited to stay for a screening of The Ice Cream Man at the Bluffton Branch Library.
the Ice Cream Man, Film Screening & Discussion
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 5:30 – 6:30 PM | 120 Palmetto Way, Bluffton, sc 29910
Join the Anne Frank Center at USC for a film screening and post-film discussion at the Bluffton Branch Library on September 23, 2026.
Educators from the Anne Frank Center at USC will facilitate a screening and post-film discussion of the Oscar-nominated short film The Ice Cream Man at the Bluffton Branch Library. The film follows the story of Ernst Cahn, an ice cream parlor owner, who is targeted by Klaus Barbie, also known as the Butcher of Lyon, after the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands.
Note: the film is 34-minutes long and is recommended for grades 8 and above, or with caution for grades 6 and 7
Anne Frank Gardens Unveiling
Monday, October 19, 2026 | 3:30 – 5:30 PM | 1731 College St, columbia, SC 29208
Please join the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina (USC) on October 19, 2026, as we celebrate the unveiling of our new Anne Frank gardens, a place for reflection and community connection. With new landscaping, a patio, and a pergola, the renovated grounds will offer a welcoming setting for events, field trips, and meaningful learning experiences.
Starting at 3:30 PM, we will host an open house of special interest to educators, students, and the wider community. While the open house remains inside, our reception will begin at 5:30 PM to celebrate and experience the new garden space.
Both events are free and open to the public but registration is required. Register HERE.
Open House for Educators and Community Members | 3:30 PM at the Anne Frank Center
Drop in anytime to learn more about the Center’s educational programs, resources, and opportunities for students, educators, and community members. This open house will feature information about Peer Guide Trainings, the Anne Frank Youth Network, the Book Bundle Project, arts programming, field trips and tours of the Anne Frank Center's permanent exhibit.
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Anne Frank Center Gardens Unveiling & Reception | 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Anne Frank Center
While the open house remains inside, guests are invited outside, entering through the Anne Frank Center gate on Barnwell Street and gathering in the new Anne Frank gardens for an evening of connection and celebration. The evening will also feature refreshments, light hors d'oeuvres, live music, and remarks from USC leadership to mark the first of many events in this space.
Revisit a Magical Night
anne frank awards gala 2026
Honoring the work that honors the legacy of Anne Frank and Otto Frank.
USC Family Weekend at the Anne Frank Center
During USC Family Weekend, we will host an open house on Friday from 12:00 to 4:30 PM and two additional tours at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
Creating Student-Centered Learning Space, Professional Development for Educators
On September 23, 2026 teachers in South Carolina’s Lowcountry will gather at the Bluffton Branch Library with educational professionals from the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina for a one-hour professional development session.
For nearly 50 years, the Anne Frank House has empowered young people through its internationally recognized Peer Education program, which has been implemented in more than 85 countries. As the North American partner of the Anne Frank House, the Anne Frank Center at USC is dedicated to expanding this transformative educational approach throughout the United States and Canada.
In Creating Student-Centered Learning Spaces, educators will explore the pedagogy behind the Anne Frank House's Peer Education model and discover practical strategies for fostering student voice, engagement, and collaboration in the classroom. Designed for educators across all grade levels and disciplines, this interactive session provides tools and insights that can be applied in a variety of learning environments to create more inclusive, student-centered learning experiences.
Thanks to the generous support of the Farbstein Foundation, four participating schools will be selected to receive an Anne Frank Center traveling exhibit and Peer Guide Training at no cost, providing students with a unique opportunity to engage with this internationally recognized educational model.
Following the professional development session, participants are invited to stay for a screening of The Ice Cream Man at the Bluffton Branch Library.
The Ice Cream Man, Film Screening & Discussion
Join the Anne Frank Center at USC for a film screening and post-film discussion at the Bluffton Branch Library on September 23, 2026.
Educators from the Anne Frank Center at USC will facilitate a screening and post-film discussion of the Oscar-nominated short film The Ice Cream Man at the Bluffton Branch Library. The film follows the story of Ernst Cahn, an ice cream parlor owner, who is targeted by Klaus Barbie, also known as the Butcher of Lyon, after the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands.
Note: the film is 34-minutes long and is recommended for grades 8 and above, or with caution for grades 6 and 7
Songs of Our People, a concert by Shir Ami | AFC and USC School of Music
Song of Our People is dedicated to the performance, discovery and preservation of Jewish Art Music. Join Associate Professor Rachel Calloway and special guests, The Amernet String Quartet, for a program of classical music for string quartet and mezzo-soprano. These artists have performed in major venues around the world and are delighted to bring this music to The Anne Frank Center.
Anne Frank Gardens Unveiling
Anne Frank Gardens Unveiling
Open House for Educators and Community Members
3:30 PM
Anne Frank Center
Drop in anytime to learn more about the Center’s educational programs, resources, and opportunities for students, educators, and community members. This open house will feature information about Peer Guide Trainings, the Anne Frank Youth Network, the Book Bundle Project, arts programming, field trips and tours of the Anne Frank Center's permanent exhibit.
✦✦✦
Anne Frank Center Gardens Unveiling & Reception
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Anne Frank Center
While the open house remains inside, guests are invited outside, entering through the Anne Frank Center gate on Barnwell Street and gathering in the new Anne Frank gardens for an evening of connection and celebration. The evening will also feature refreshments, light hors d'oeuvres, live music, and remarks from USC leadership to mark the first of many events in this space.
Anne Frank Center Girl Scout Badge Launch
Join us at the Anne Frank Center for a day of remembrance and reflection on the life of Anne Frank. As the official partner of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Anne Frank, promoting education about the Holocaust, and fostering dialogue on issues of discrimination, prejudice, and human rights throughout the United States and Canada.
Enjoy a guided tour, talk to families of Holocaust survivors and learn more about the story of the young Jewish girl who - in the pages of her world-renowned diary - documented two years of hiding in German-occupied Amsterdam during World War II. Each tour is the start of the event which last approximately 70-90 mins. After the tour, you will participate in a variety of activities that will increase your knowledge about Anne Frank and the effects of the Holocaust.
Register on the Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands website.
2ND Anne Frank Awards
about the anne frank awards
The Anne Frank Awards celebrate individuals and organizations who exemplify the values of courage, compassion, and a commitment to Holocaust education. This biennial event honors students, educators, artists, and community leaders who have made significant contributions to preserving the legacy of Anne Frank and promoting Holocaust education.
The evening will feature an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions in various categories, accompanied by a soiree with heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Event Tickets & Sponsorships
Limited sponsorship opportunities and early bird tickets are now on sale!
All sponsorships include 8 tickets to the event.
Gold Sponsor - $5,000
Access to VIP reception with honorees/special guests for 8 people
Reserved table for 8 people toward the front of the stage
Full-page acknowledgement in the gala program and logo/names on banner
Silver Sponsor - $3,000
Main event and VIP reception tickets for 8 people
Reserved table for 8 people
Half-page acknowledgement in the gala program and logo/names on banner
Bronze Sponsor - $1,500
Main event and VIP reception tickets for 8 people
Reserved table for 8 people
Quarter-page acknowledgement in the gala program and logo/names on banner
To become a sponsor, please contact Amy Austermiller at austerma@mailbox.sc.edu.
Gifts to the Anne Frank Center are processed through the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: #57-6017985).
Award Categories
2026 award recipients:
Student Award – Recognizing a student who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to Holocaust education through Anne Frank-related programs.
Educator Award – Honoring an educator who has made significant contributions to teaching about Anne Frank and the Holocaust.
Youth Expression Through Art Award – Honoring a young individual whose artistic expression—across any medium—captures the spirit of hope found in Anne Frank’s diary, blending creativity with a meaningful engagement with history in their community.
Anne Frank Youth Network Award - This award honors an Anne Frank Youth Network (AFYN) member who has embodied the network's mission and taken meaningful action to promote empathy, justice, and positive change in their community.
The Anne Frank Center Award for Achievement in Arts & Letters honors individuals whose creative work embodies the power of art and storytelling to inspire empathy and confront prejudice. Reflecting Anne Frank’s enduring legacy, the award celebrates those who use their voice and vision to illuminate truth and affirm our shared humanity.
Otto Frank Award for Outstanding Stewardship of Anne’s Legacy – Recognizing an individual or organization whose dedication preserves, protects, and advances Anne Frank’s legacy, carrying forward her story with integrity, compassion, and a lasting commitment to education and human dignity.
Additional Information
For more information and updates about the Anne Frank Awards, please contact the Anne Frank Center at afc@sc.edu.
LOOKING BACK - PHOTOS FROM 1ST ANNE FRANK AWARDS (2024)
Host your event with us
If you are interested in hosting an event at the Anne Frank Center, please download the form below, complete all required fields, and email the finished form to afc@sc.edu.
Special Event Request Form
A member of our staff will review your request and contact you regarding availability, requirements, and next steps.
Submission of this form does not guarantee approval.