The Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards, organized by the Sabancı Foundation— which has been working for more than 50 years to promote social development—have found their recipients, supporting young artists on their creative journeys. As part of the award ceremony held for the 32nd time this year, 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 Republican Gold Coins.
Initiated in line with the late Sakıp Sabancı’s belief that “Respect for art and the artist is the most valuable investment in society,” the Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards have been sustained by the Sabancı Foundation to preserve his memory and vision in this field. This year, the awards were presented for the 32nd time.
At the ceremony held on November 20 at Sabancı Center, nine students who graduated with honors from the Painting, Sculpture, and Traditional Turkish Arts departments of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University received a total of 240 Republican Gold Coins.
The award recipients were Duru Bozkurt, Gülce Ecem Çınar, and Ergi Vardar from the Painting Department; Mehmet Evren Erdoğan, Umut Ballıkaya, and Atakan May Sarıtaş from the Sculpture Department; and Elif Çanakkale Aygeç, Elif Göker, and Betül Dal from the Traditional Turkish Arts Department.
The ceremony was hosted by Melisa Sabancı Tapan, Member of the Board of Directors of Sabancı Holding, and Prof. Yasemin Nur Erkalır, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University.
Melisa Sabancı Tapan, Member of the Board of Directors of Sabancı Holding:
“Every young artist receiving an award here today adds a new sentence to the story of this country.”
In her speech, Melisa Sabancı Tapan emphasized the late Sakıp Sabancı’s respect for art and stated:
“At the Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards, which we are holding for the 32nd time, we are gathered not only to celebrate achievement, but also to honor the meaning that art adds to our lives. My dear grandfather Sakıp Sabancı viewed art not merely as an aesthetic matter, but as a field of values that transforms people and society. Fortunately, through these awards, we continue to keep this belief alive together with new generations of artists. Today, art is not just an interest for me; it is a way of seeing the world—a means of understanding life, sharing meaning, and contributing to society. That is why art is also connected to a more just, more empathetic, and more sustainable future. The Sabancı Foundation sets out with precisely this purpose. As we leave half a century behind, we believe in the transformative power of art in every field where we support social development. Because we know that where there is art, there is dialogue, change, and hope. Through these awards, we continue to uphold my dear grandfather Sakıp Sabancı’s belief in art as a value that elevates humanity, together with new generations.”
Prof. Yasemin Nur Erkalır, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University:
“The Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards open new horizons for our young artists who graduate with honors from their departments.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Yasemin Nur Erkalır said:
“The Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards, initiated by the late Sakıp Sabancı in 1994 and uninterruptedly sustained by the Sabancı Foundation for 32 years, are more than a source of great pride for our university—they open new horizons for our young artists who graduate with honors from their departments. This prestigious award, which recognizes our students’ outstanding achievements in the arts, contributes to elevating their potential to the highest level while reminding us all of art’s power to add value to society. As Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, we deeply appreciate this meaningful support of the Sabancı Foundation. These awards not only make our students’ efforts visible, but also serve as a source of motivation that inspires young artists. Art is a journey that begins with imagination. On this journey, I would like to thank the Sabancı Family and the Sabancı Foundation for always supporting our students in turning their dreams into reality, and I sincerely congratulate all of our award-winning students.”
Uninterrupted Support for Art
For 32 years, the Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards have encouraged successful students graduating with honors from the Painting, Sculpture, and Traditional Turkish Arts departments of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, one of Turkey’s most established art institutions. Through the Sakıp Sabancı Fund established within the Sabancı Foundation, a total of 287 young artists have been awarded 7,665 Republican Gold Coins over the past 32 years through the Sakıp Sabancı Art Awards.
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