We are pleased to share that the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize, founded by Gallery 1957, has been featured in The Art Newspaper, highlighting the prize's expansion into Senegal and the announcement of its 2026 joint winners, Kwama Frigaux and Fatoumata Sy.
Founded in 2021 to support women artists in Ghana and its diaspora, the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize has expanded this year in partnership with the Institut Français du Sénégal, welcoming applications from Ghanaian and Senegalese artists. The article celebrates the selection of Ghanaian-French artist Kwama Frigaux and Senegalese artist Fatoumata Sy, who will each receive a $5,000 award, a three-month residency in the other's country and a solo exhibition.
The winners were announced during Accra Cultural Week 2026, organised by Gallery 1957.
Written by Gameli Hamelo, the article also highlights the international jury behind this year's selection, including Touria El Glaoui, founder of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Marie Hélène Pereira, Jeanne Barral, Alexa Waley-Cohen and Dominique Heyse-Moore. Beyond the awards themselves, the prize provides a mentorship programme for runners-up, offering guidance on professional development, grant applications and entrepreneurship, with mentors including artist Modupeola Fadugba and Christie Brown founder Aisha Ayensu.
Speaking to The Art Newspaper, prize director Leila Zakhem discusses the importance of developing a lasting community around the initiative. The partnership with the Institut Français du Sénégal represents a step towards strengthening connections between English- and French-speaking West African art communities, with ambitions to expand the prize further across the continent.
We are grateful to The Art Newspaper for recognising this new chapter of the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize and highlighting its continued commitment to supporting women artists and fostering opportunities for artistic exchange across Africa.