The Beginning of the 2025 Art Basel Global Awards

At the start of 2025, the launch of the first-ever Art Basel Global Awards was announced, an event that sparked wide anticipation in artistic and cultural circles. Questions centered around the identity of the recipients of this honor, which reflects a significant impact on the contemporary art scene.

Announcement of Winners and Medalists

On May 15, the names of the winners were revealed, honoring 36 artists and prominent figures who were given the title of “Medalists.” Each of them plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of art within their own field.

Diversity of Categories and Winners

The list of winners was notably diverse, including creatives from various disciplines such as artists, art curators, art institutions, patrons, media professionals, as well as experts and technicians working behind the scenes. This diversity reflects the inclusiveness of the awards and their focus on all components of the art field.

Art Basel Awards: Focus on Cultural Impact and Artistic Future

The new Art Basel Awards are dedicated to recognizing excellence across various fields of contemporary art, yet they distinguish themselves from traditional awards by not limiting recognition to tangible achievements alone. Instead, these awards focus on artistic practices that reflect multidimensional cultural impacts and possess the potential to actively contribute to shaping the future of art.

This approach demonstrates a shift toward evaluating art from broader perspectives, where success is measured not only by immediate outcomes but also by the extent of the artwork’s influence on culture, communities, and future arts.

The Jury and Its Role in Selecting the Winners

The winners of the 2025 Art Basel Awards were chosen by an international jury composed of a distinguished group of experts from various fields such as fashion, design, music, cinema, publishing, and performing arts.

The jury included prominent names such as Hoor Al Qasimi, Vincenzo De Bellis, Elena Filipovic, Jessica Morgan, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Adriano Pedrosa, Sohania Ravel, Franklin Sirmans, and Philippe Tinari.

The evaluation of candidates is based on three main criteria: the artistic vision of the creator, technical and creative skills, as well as the impact they make on the artistic and cultural scene. This comprehensive assessment reflects the awards’ commitment to valuing art that combines quality, innovation, and societal influence.

Classification of the Winners in the 2025 Art Basel Awards

The winners of the 2025 Art Basel Awards were divided into several categories reflecting the diversity of the artistic and cultural scene, which include:

• Artists: encompassing art icons, established artists, and emerging artists.
• Multidisciplinary Creators.
• Patrons.
• Institutions.
• Art Curators.
• Allies.
• Media Professionals and Storytellers.

Notable Examples of Winners

The winners’ list features a strong presence of influential artists and figures, among them the British artist and curator Lubaina Himid, known for her role in the British Black Arts movement.
In the multidisciplinary creators category, fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner and the design studio Formafantasma were honored for their creative integration of fashion, design, and art.

Supporting Diversity and Empowerment in Art

Non-artistic categories include winners such as RAW Material Company, headquartered in Dakar, art curator Candice Hopkins, and patron Maya Hoffman. The winners also included the group Art Handlxrs, which dedicates its efforts to supporting and empowering Black people, Indigenous peoples, people of color, women, LGBTQ+, transgender, and gender non-conforming individuals within the professional arts industry.
This reflects the awards’ commitment to promoting diversity and social justice in the art field and recognizing the vital role of these communities in enriching the cultural landscape.

Honoring the Winners and Support Opportunities at the 2025 Art Basel Awards

The winners are scheduled to be honored during the main Art Basel exhibition in Basel, Switzerland, next June. The winning artists receive financial support totaling approximately $300,000 through artist fees and charitable grants, reflecting the crucial role of financial backing in advancing their careers.

In addition to financial support, these awards offer extensive opportunities for global networking, facilitating the building of strong professional connections. Customized partnerships and high-profile commissions are also available, helping artists to develop their projects and achieve a deeper impact on the contemporary art scene.

Selection of the Gold Medalists: A New Model for Professional Recognition

Later in 2025, the 36 winners of the Art Basel Awards will convene to select up to 12 Gold Medalists. This award represents an additional step that highlights excellence in artistic fields and reflects a new peer-recognition model, where artists and creators themselves evaluate and honor their colleagues.

The Gold Medal winners will be announced during the Art Basel Miami Beach exhibition in December 2025, adding a new dimension to these annual awards.

Vision of the Annual Art Basel Awards

These annual awards are designed to spotlight individuals who work with a radical vision and demonstrate a strong commitment to their craft. The awards also emphasize supporting the communities to which the artists and creators belong, highlighting the importance of their cultural and social impact within the contemporary art industry.

Art Basel Awards 2025: Here Are the Winners

ArchUp | Site