The Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards, organized for 31 years by the Sabancı Foundation—an institution that has been working for 50 years to build a society where all individuals benefit equally from rights—were presented once again to support young artists. Nine students who graduated with honors from the Painting, Sculpture, and Traditional Turkish Arts departments of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University were awarded a total of 240 Republic Gold Coins (a type of Turkish gold bullion coin, known as 'Cumhuriyet Altını').
The “Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards” were launched in 1994 by the late Sakıp Sabancı with the aim of supporting young artists at the beginning of their careers. The awards have since been carried on by the Sabancı Foundation.
Hosted by Sabancı Holding Board Member Melisa Sabancı Tapan and Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Rector Prof. Dr. Handan İnci Elçi, the award ceremony took place at The Seed, Sakıp Sabancı Museum. Awards were presented to the top three graduates from the Painting, Sculpture, and Traditional Turkish Arts departments of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University. A total of 240 Republic Gold Coins were awarded to the nine outstanding students.
Melisa Sabancı Tapan, Sabancı Holding Board Member: “With young artists shaping the future through art, we lead the transformation of society and the creation of new worlds.”
Melisa Sabancı Tapan stated, “My grandfather, Sakıp Sabancı, had an unwavering belief in the power and impact of art. Today, we honor that belief together. We are shaping the future through art. With young artists, we are leading the transformation of society—pushing boundaries, opening minds, and building new worlds. Every artist who receives an award on this stage is not only shaping today’s culture but also building the culture of tomorrow. We have only one expectation from you: never stop dreaming and working toward those dreams! Because your voice is one of the most powerful tools to guide society on this journey.”
Prof. Dr. Fatma Öztürk, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University: “The Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards are a source of pride for our university and open new doors for our top graduates.”
Prof. Dr. Fatma Öztürk remarked, “The Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards, initiated 31 years ago by the late Sakıp Sabancı and sustained by the Sabancı Foundation, are a source of great pride for our university and help open new doors for our graduates who finish at the top of their class. These prestigious awards, which recognize and reward our students' outstanding achievements in the arts, elevate their potential and highlight the importance of contributing to society. As the Faculty of Fine Arts at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, we deeply value these awards for promoting our students’ efforts and dedication. The award recipients inspire their peers to strive for excellence and to make a positive impact on society. As artists, we begin our journey with a dream. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Sabancı Family and the Sabancı Foundation for supporting our students in realizing their dreams, and I congratulate our students on their achievements.”
278 Young Artists Honored in 31 Years of the Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards
In 1994, Sakıp Sabancı established the Art Awards in his name and created the Sakıp Sabancı Fund within the Sabancı Foundation to ensure the continuation of his charitable initiatives and award programs. Over the past 31 years, 278 young artists have received a total of 7,425 Republic Gold Coins through the Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards, which continue to be presented by the Sabancı Foundation.
