Art Basel launches its awards, dedicated to contemporary art visionaries

Art Basel introduces for the first time in its history an annual award dedicated to the key players who are redefining the contemporary art landscape. The Art Basel Awards aim to celebrate artists as well as curators, museums, patrons, interdisciplinary innovators and media who, through their vision, are influencing the future of global art. The award aims to stand out for its international scope and innovative approach: a total of 36 awardees will be selected by a jury of experts for their impact, talent and ability to redefine the field. However, the real novelty lies in the subsequent selection process: in fact, the winners themselves will choose, through an internal voting system, 12 Gold Medalists, the initiative’s highest honor. The medal winners will be announced in May 2025 and officially celebrated in June, during Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland. In contrast, the 12 Gold Medalists will be revealed at an exclusive event during Art Basel Miami Beach in December. The ceremony will reflect the visionary spirit of the Art Basel Awards.

An award that honors community, not competition

Unlike traditional art awards, which tend to focus on individual achievements, the Art Basel Awards aim to highlight practices and contributions with broad impact, reinforcing the idea that the evolution of contemporary art is not the result of the work of individuals, but the result of networks and communities of influence.

This philosophy is also reflected in the benefits offered to winners. Medalists will become part of Art Basel’s global network, with access to tailored mentorship, partnership opportunities and support to amplify their visibility internationally. For Gold Medal winners, the award takes on an even more significant dimension: emerging artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their work in an internationally prominent institution; established artists will receive a special commission for Art Basel; and artists considered Icons will participate in a mentoring program to support the growth of the next generation of talent.

A model, then, that aims to reward merit and build an ecosystem of collaboration and growth, consistent with Art Basel’s mission to support the entire art system and promote new spaces for creation and cultural dialogue.

Guiding the process of selecting the winners will be an international jury of nine leading figures in the global art scene, selected for their commitment and influence in the field. The panel will be chaired by Vincenzo de Bellis and will include: Hoor Al-Qasimi, President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation; Elena Filipovic, Director of the Kunstmuseum Basel; Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA), as well as Curator of the 61st Venice Biennale (2026); Jessica Morgan, Director of the Dia Art Foundation in New York; Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of the Serpentine Gallery in London; Adriano Pedrosa, Artistic Director of the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP); Suhanya Raffel, Director of the M+ Museum in Hong Kong; Franklin Sirmans, Director of the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM); Philip Tinari, Director and Chief Executive of the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing

The Art Basel Awards find a strategic ally in the world of fashion: the prestigious brand BOSS will be the initiative’s presenting partner. The award thus reflects the HUGO BOSS Group’s longstanding commitment to fostering dialogue between art and fashion, two increasingly interconnected sectors in today’s global cultural landscape.

“More than a title, a Medal is an invitation addressed to artists and industry professionals to shape what is to come,” said Vincenzo de Bellis, Director of Fairs and Exhibition Platforms at Art Basel. “The Art Basel Awards are a love letter to the artists who illuminate the future with their vision and to the often invisible protagonists who bring to life artistic experiences capable of changing the world. They connect global art pioneers, their allies and collaborators to create opportunities that redefine creation, exhibition, patronage and research. This initiative is an invitation to our community to dream big. It reaffirms our commitment to supporting bold art and fostering a world where transformative creativity can thrive and inspire future generations.”

“The Art Basel Awards harness the global strength of our brand in new and truly meaningful ways, reaffirming our absolute commitment to industry leadership through innovation and impact,” explained Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel. “With this initiative, Art Basel aims to provide even more opportunities for key players in the art world, open new avenues for cross-industry exchange and collaboration, and create new touchpoints with our core and rapidly expanding audience. We are excited to partner with BOSS, a brand with a long tradition of supporting the arts, to celebrate the cutting-edge work that is shaping the future of art and culture.”

Art Basel launches its awards, dedicated to contemporary art visionaries

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