Art Basel will launch its first-ever annual awards program designed to spotlight the trailblazers shaping the future of contemporary art. The Art Basel Awards will honor artists, curators, institutions, and cultural innovators whose boundary-pushing work is transforming the global art landscape.

Unlike conventional award systems that focus on singular achievements, this pioneering initiative emphasizes celebration over competition, recognizing practices with significant and lasting impact across the art ecosystem. The program will identify 36 Medalists worldwide – individuals and organizations selected for their vision , exceptional skill, and far-reaching influence in contemporary art.

‘The Art Basel Awards tap the global power of our brand in new and truly significant ways, underlining our absolute commitment to industry leadership through innovation and impact,’ said Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel. ‘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.’

What sets this program apart is its innovative selection process. After an international jury selects the initial 36 Medalists, these honorees will participate in a peer-driven evaluation, voting among themselves to determine 12 Gold Medalists – the awards’ highest distinction. This creates a forward-thinking model where tomorrow’s changemakers are elevated by their peers rather than traditional gatekeepers.

The awards span nine categories covering the full spectrum of the art world. Three artist-focused categories recognize emerging talents, established mid-career artists, and legendary icons. Six additional categories celebrate curators, museums, patrons, behind-the-scenes allies, cross-disciplinary creators, and media contributors who advance artistic discourse.

Beyond recognition, Medalists gain access to Art Basel’s influential global network, tailored mentorship, partnership opportunities, and support to amplify their work internationally. Artists receiving Gold Medals will receive category-specific opportunities: emerging artists will showcase work at leading global institutions; established artists will receive major Art Basel commissions; and iconic figures will participate in mentoring programs nurturing the next generation of talent.

Chaired by Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s Director of Fairs and Exhibition Platforms, the awards’ international jury comprises nine distinguished art world figures, including Hoor Al-Qasimi, Elena Filipovic, Koyo Kouoh, Jessica Morgan, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Adriano Pedrosa, Suhanya Raffel, Franklin Sirmans, and Philip Tinari.

Fashion brand BOSS will serve as presenting partner, building on HUGO BOSS Group’s three-decade legacy of art sponsorship. Daniel Grieder, CEO of HUGO BOSS , said: ‘Fashion and art are deeply connected to one another, and art is therefore an integral part of our brand DNA. We are excited to continue to drive innovation in the arts and its related fields.’

The awards will unfold as a year-long celebration. The 36 Medalists will be announced in May 2025 and honored during Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland in June. These honorees will also participate in a new thought leadership program convening leading voices from the global art world. The culmination comes in December at Art Basel Miami Beach, where the 12 Gold Medalists will be revealed at an exclusive event featuring immersive experiences that capture the awards’ visionary spirit.

The Art Basel Awards represent a significant evolution in how artistic achievement is recognized and celebrated. By emphasizing community over competition and creating tangible opportunities beyond accolades, Art Basel is reinforcing its position as a catalyst for innovation while addressing the art world’s growing demand for more inclusive, forward-thinking recognition systems.

For the global art community, these awards promise not just to honor today’s visionaries but to actively shape tomorrow’s creative landscape through meaningful connection, collaboration, and support.