"Abaraka" means "Thank You" in Madinka. It's our way of giving thanks.

The Abaraka Awards are given to African American women as one-time grants, up to $3,000.

San Antonio Ethnic Art Society (SAEAS), in conjunction with collectors Aissatou Sidime-Blanton and Stewart Blanton, created the biennial grants to support artistic projects that further the careers of early- to mid-career female artists and arts professionals, while promoting art interests among female youth under the age of 21.

Abaraka grants are open to visual artists, art historians, curators, visual art educators, and conservators.

2017 Award Recipient: Lauren Woods "(Kind of) Bluebonnets"

Next Biennial Application Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Artist Grants

We offer biennial grants to help you create your masterpiece and explore creative concepts.

tHE Collection

Take a look at the artwork Aissatou Sidime-Blanton and Stewart Blanton have collected over the years.

San Antonio Ethnic Art Society  Abaraka Awards Committee  19141 Stone Oak Parkway Box #104  San Antonio, Texas 78232

210/863-3497 * Abaraka@saeastx.org      

ExhibitIon Help

Putting on exhibitions can be costly. We offer financial assistance to ship and showcase artwork. 

For the Art PRo

For the arts professional who wants to hone her skills as a historian, curator, appraiser, conservator or educator.