Inside the Art Basel Awards 2025

The Art Basel Awards recognize the extraordinary talent of artisans globally and commemorate their efforts to advance excellence across the contemporary art medium by honoring the innovative work they do that changes the course of creating art for future generations. This year's inaugural award ceremony, which is the first of its kind in Art Basel history, highlighted the pioneering artists with different artistic backgrounds, like curators, storytellers, studio managers, and institutions to name a few. 

The event took place on May 15, and rather than competing for recognition, the medalists were equally celebrated for their significant and unifying artistry that's redefining the creative outlet and challenges conventionality. From artisans in fashion and design to those in music and films, Art Basel has committed to crediting them for their path-breaking practices through the awards.

“The Art Basel Awards are not a competition, but a beacon. They shine a light on those working with radical vision, skill, and commitment to building communities of practice and exchange. We are thrilled to honor this year’s Medalists—artists and allies whose work is reshaping how art is created, experienced, and channeled across contemporary culture," Director of Fairs and Exhibition Platforms Vincenzo de Bellis said in a statement.. 

36 Vanguard medalists have been selected in the first annual award event for their "influential voices and promising rising talents." They will receive official recognition at Art Basel's flagship fair, hosted in Switzerland, in June. The international art fair has also promised the medalists a year-round global campaign and initiative for them to present themselves and their work to the world. 

"This is only the beginning. In its debut year, the Art Basel Awards will provide immediate, flexible support for artists in the early stages of their careers, while also advancing significant creative opportunities for established artists that will amplify their work on a truly global scale," de Bellis said.

The honorees are also set to headline the Art Basel Awards Summit, which is the first annual conference for thought leaders in the industry, in Basel, although details have yet to be announced. Once they've concluded their global campaigns, the medalists will then spearhead what's called a "peer-driven process," where they will cast votes to select 12 Gold Medalists from their group to receive the highest honor award by the Art Basel Awards. The recipients will be announced in December 2025 during the Official Night of the Art Basel Awards held at Miami Beach. 

"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. 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," Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, said in a press release. 

Keep scrolling to see all the medalists at the Art Basel Awards 2025. 

Emerging Artists: 

• Mohammad Alfaraj
• Meriem Bennani
• Pan Daijing
• Saodat Ismailova
• Lydia Ourahmane
• Sofia Salazar Rosales

Established Artists:

• Nairy Baghramian 
• Tony Cokes 
• Cao Fei 
• Ibrahim Mahama 
• Delcy Morelos
• Ho Tzu Nyen

Icons: 

• David Hammons
• Lubaina Himid 
• Joan Jonas 
• Adrian Piper 
• Betye Saar
• Cecilia Vicuña

Cross-Disciplinary Creators: 

• Saidiya Hartman 
• Grace Wales Bonner 
• Formafantasma

Museums and Institutions: 

• ART + PRACTICE 
• Jameel Arts Centre
• RAW Material Company

Curators: 

• Candice Hopkins
• Shanay Jhaveri
• Eungie Joo

Patrons: 

• Shane Akeroyd 
• Maja Hoffmann
• Joel Wachs

Allies: 

• Art Handlxrs* 
• Gasworks / Triangle Network
• Sandra Terdjman

Media and Storytellers: 

• Neger Azimi 
• Barbara Casavecchia
• The Journal of Curatorial Studies