The idea for "The Contest" was submitted by a real-life viewer of the show named Holly Holland. She is mentioned by name at the end of the episode as the winner of the in-universe contest (for submitting a story idea to a TV show, in-universe) that the characters try to enter. The other five stories that Arthur and his friends come up with were also ideas sent in by other children viewers of the show. The characters point this out in a segment after the episode that breaks the fourth wall.
Along with Holly Holland of Canadian, Oklahoma who ultimately won the grand prize, there were five other winners chosen.
Jared Delello of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.
Kiera Anne Carry of Long Beach, New York.
Daniel Hanson of Pitsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Corey Baldwin of Hartford, Michigan.
And Lauden Ashley Belongia of Kewaskum, Wisconsin.