Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize Expands to Senegal, Names 2026 Winners
The prestigious award for African women artists now bridges English and French-speaking regions.
1Expansion into West Africa
The Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize, established by Gallery 1957 in 2021, has officially expanded its scope to include Senegal. This strategic growth, executed in partnership with the Institut Français du Sénégal, aims to foster stronger connections between English and French-speaking art communities across West Africa, marking a significant milestone for the organization.
22026 Joint Winners Announced
Ghanaian-French artist Kwama Frigaux and Senegalese artist Fatoumata Sy were named the joint winners of the 2026 edition. Each recipient receives a 5,000 dollar cash prize, a three-month artistic residency in the partner country, and the opportunity to host a solo exhibition, providing substantial support for their professional development and creative practice.
3Distinguished Jury Selection Process
The winners were selected by a high-profile jury including Touria El Glaoui, founder of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, and Serge Attukwei Clottey. Other members included curators from Berlin’s Haus der Kulturen der Welt, the Fondation Cartier, and Tate Britain, ensuring a rigorous and internationally recognized evaluation process for the applicants.
4Historical and Cultural Context
The prize is named after the Ashanti queen mother, Yaa Asantewaa, who is celebrated for her anticolonial resistance during British rule in Ghana. By honoring her legacy, the award seeks to empower contemporary women artists aged 18 or older, whether they reside in their home countries or within the global African diaspora.
5Mentorship and Professional Support
Beyond the primary awards, the program includes a mentorship initiative for runners-up. Mentors such as Nigerian artist Modupeola Fadugba and fashion entrepreneur Aisha Ayensu provide guidance on essential career skills, including grant applications and entrepreneurship. This structure ensures that the prize offers long-term professional benefits rather than just a one-time financial reward.
6Strategic Partnership Rationale
Prize director Leila Zakhem noted that the team evaluated multiple countries for expansion, including Nigeria, before selecting Senegal. The decision was driven by the credibility and enthusiasm of the Institut Français du Sénégal. This non-commercial partnership serves as a model for future collaborations as the organization seeks to scale its operations across Africa.
7Future Pan-African Ambitions
Gallery 1957 intends to continue expanding the prize throughout West Africa and eventually across the entire continent. The ultimate objective is to establish the Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize as the leading Pan-African award for female artists, creating a sustainable community that supports artistic longevity and cross-border cultural dialogue for years to come.
8Ongoing Cultural Programming
The winners were announced during Accra Cultural Week, which ran from 29 October to 2 November 2026. The event also featured the solo exhibition of the 2025 winner, Theresah Ankomah, titled The Lore of Care: Maternal Acts of Devotion, which remains on public view at Gallery 1957 until 5 December 2026.
Original article: The Art Newspaper — Yaa Asantewaa Art Prize Expands to Senegal, Names 2026 Winners