The Art Business Incubator on South Padre Island (ABISPI) has been an idea in the making for years and has only recently manifested itself into physical form in 2019.

 

Our Mission

At ABI SPI (pronounced “Abbey”), our mission is to ignite the creative spirit of South Padre Island by helping artists turn their passions into profit through thriving businesses. We are dedicated to cultivating a vibrant and sustainable art culture by "incubating" local artists who dream of owning and operating their own art-based ventures right here on the island. By building a strong and visible community of art-driven businesses, we’re not only empowering artists—we're also shaping South Padre Island into a nationally recognized destination for art, creativity, and coastal inspiration.


This program is intended to lower the barriers to success and cushion the risks of early stage business development as artists test their product out in the market.
— JoAnn Evans, ABISPI Board President

What We offer our artists

  • Free studio workspace

  • An initial supplies stipend of $1,000.

  • $700 scholarship to the Kauffman Fast Trac Business Training Program.

  • Gallery display space in the Art Business Incubator Hub located in the heart of the entertainment district.

  • A monthly stipend of $200.

  • Access to shared office space, Wi-Fi, and technology equipment.

  • Full time clerical help at the ABI location for scheduling and sales support.

  • And more.