Art Basel has announced the inauguration of the annual Art Basel Awards program, which will recognize artists, leaders, and innovators across the art world. In partnership with luxury fashion house BOSS, Art Basel will announce 36 notable individuals and organizations in May, who will be honored during the Swiss organization’s flagship fair this June in Basel. The celebration will continue at Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2025, where 12 gold medalists will be named at a culminating event.
Awards will be given to artists in three categories: Emerging, for rising talents; Established, recognized for significant achievements in the art world; and Icons, distinguished by their “legendary” status. Additionally, six categories will honor other art world figures: Curators, Museums and Institutions, Patrons, Allies, Cross-disciplinary Creators, and Media and Storytelling.
Nominations for the awards are submitted by a group of anonymous “observers” chosen by Art Basel. Then, an International Jury selects 36 medalists from the nominations. The jury is chaired by Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s director of fairs and exhibition platforms, and includes esteemed panelists including Sheikha Hoor Al-Qasimi, founder of the Sharjah Art Foundation; Hans Ulrich Obrist, director of London’s Serpentine Galleries; and Koyo Kouoh, executive director of Cape Town’s Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) and curator of the 61st Venice Biennale. The 36 medalists will then vote among themselves to select the 12 gold medalists.
“The Art Basel Awards are a love letter to the artists who illuminate the future with their vision and the unsung champions who bring world-altering art experiences to life,” de Bellis said in a press statement. “They connect the world’s trailblazing artists, their allies, and their collaborators to realize opportunities that redefine creation, exhibition, patronage, and research. This initiative is an invitation to our community to dream bigger. It reaffirms our commitment to nurturing bold artistry and empowering a world where transformative art can flourish and inspire generations to come.”
The medalists will gain access to Art Basel’s global network, which includes tailored mentorship and partnership opportunities. For gold medalists, the benefits are particularly significant: Emerging artists will have a chance to exhibit their work at a to-be-named institution; established artists will receive a commission by Art Basel; and Icons will participate in a mentorship program aimed at fostering a new generation of talent.
“With this initiative, Art Basel stands to deliver ever more opportunities for the art world’s key players, forge new paths for exchange and collaboration across industries, and create new touchpoints with our core and rapidly expanding audience,” said Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel.
Update: This article has been updated to reflect that the names of the honorees will be announced in May, prior to Art Basel in June.
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