At Art Basel 2025, the spotlight turned to the inaugural Art Basel Awards, where 36 groundbreaking contributors to the contemporary art world were honored. Held during the flagship edition of Art Basel 2025 in Switzerland (from June 13th to 16th), the event marked a defining moment in how the art ecosystem is celebrated—with a focus not only on artists, but also on curators, institutions, patrons, and multidisciplinary creators.
Launched as a key initiative of Art Basel 2025, the Art Basel Awards aim to recognize those shaping the present and future of culture. Chair Vincenzo de Bellis described the awards as “a beacon,” rather than a contest—designed to uplift radical vision and community-building within and beyond the art world.
The 2025 Art Basel Awards medalists include renowned artists such as Adrian Piper, Lubaina Himid, and Joan Jonas, alongside emerging talents like Meriem Bennani, Pan Daijing, and Sofia Salazar Rosales. The Cross-Disciplinary award was presented to Grace Wales Bonner and Formafantasma, highlighting creative intersections between fashion, design, and art.
Institutional impact was recognized through awards to RAW Material Company and Jameel Arts Centre, while curators Candice Hopkins and Shanay Jhaveri, and patrons Maja Hoffmann and Shane Akeroyd were celebrated for their leadership and support. In total, the Art Basel Awards 2025 spanned nine categories—from Icon Artists to Storytellers—distributing nearly $300,000 in commissions and flexible support.
Presented in collaboration with fashion house BOSS, the Art Basel Awards 2025 reinforce connections between contemporary art and adjacent cultural industries. In a unique twist, all 36 medalists will vote to select 12 Gold Medalists in December—placing peer recognition at the heart of the model.
Photography courtesy of ART BASEL AWARDS