Art Basel Awards Announces 36 Medallists for 2025 Across Nine Categories
Art Basel has introduced its first-ever awards program, celebrating 36 individuals and organizations in nine distinct categories for their impact on contemporary art. A jury featuring Adriano Pedrosa, Elena Filipovic, and others made the selections for the 2025 medallists. Among those honored in the Artists – Icon category are David Hammons and Lubaina Himid. Recognized established artists include Nairy Baghramian and Tony Cokes, while emerging talents highlighted are Mohammad Alfaraj and Meriem Bennani. Patrons Shane Akeroyd and Maja Hoffmann, along with institutions like ART + PRACTICE, received accolades. Awards were also given to curators such as Candice Hopkins. The medallists will be celebrated at Art Basel in Basel from June 19 to 22, 2025, with Gold medallists revealed in December 2025.
Key facts
- Art Basel launched its inaugural awards program in 2025
- 36 medallists were selected across nine categories
- Awards are based on vision, innovation, skill, execution, engagement, and impact
- Medallists will be acknowledged at Art Basel in Basel from June 19-22, 2025
- Twelve Gold medallists will be selected through peer review
- Gold medallists will be announced in Miami Beach in December 2025
- Gold Medal includes nearly USD 300,000 annually in support
- First Art Basel Awards Summit will feature medallists as headliners
Entities
Artists
- David Hammons
- Lubaina Himid
- Joan Jonas
- Adrian Piper
- Betye Saar
- Cecilia Vicuña
- Nairy Baghramian
- Tony Cokes
- Cao Fei
- Ibrahim Mahama
- Delcy Morelos
- Ho Tzu Nyen
- Mohammad Alfaraj
- Meriem Bennani
- Pan Daijing
- Saodat Ismailova
- Lydia Ourahmane
- Sofia Salazar Rosales
- Saidiya Hartman
- Grace Wales Bonner
- Adriano Pedrosa
- Elena Filipovic
- Franklin Sirmans
- Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Hoor Al Qasimi
- Jessica Morgan
- Philip Tinari
- Suhanya Raffel
- Koyo Kouoh
- Candice Hopkins
- Shanay Jhaveri
- Eungie Joo
- Negar Azimi
- Barbara Casavecchia
- Sandra Terdjman
- Formafantasma
Institutions
- Art Basel
- ART + PRACTICE
- Jameel Arts Centre
- RAW Material Company
- Art Handlxrs*
- Gasworks / Triangle Network
- The Journal of Curatorial Studies
- Formafantasma
- Canvas
- Art Handlxrs
- Artribune
Locations
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Miami Beach
- United States
- Dakar
- Senegal