March 17, 2025 | By Lelethu Sobekwa
Art Basel is set to introduce an annual awards programme aimed at recognizing outstanding contributions to the art world. The newly launched Art Basel Awards will debut in May with 36 medals presented across three categories: emerging, established, and “icons.” This initiative seeks to honour not only artists but also curators, museums, patrons, and professionals from adjacent disciplines such as design and music, as well as members of the art media.
The medalists will be formally celebrated during Art Basel’s flagship fair in Switzerland this June and will also be featured in a newly developed public leadership programme on June 20, expanding on the fair’s existing panels and discussions.
“We wanted to celebrate all the different members of the industry who contribute to the ecosystem of contemporary art,” says Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s director of fairs and exhibition platforms. “Rather than just highlighting individual exhibitions or past achievements, this programme is about looking ahead and acknowledging those shaping the future.”
A Global Jury with a Strong African Voice
The 36 medalists will be selected from a pool of nominees curated by a diverse network of observers and chosen by a jury of nine prominent figures in the art world. The jury will be chaired by De Bellis and includes:
- Sheikha Hoor Al-Qasimi, President and Director, Sharjah Art Foundation
- Elena Filipovic, Director, Kunstmuseum Basel
- Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator, Zeitz MOCAA, and Curator, 2026 Venice Biennale
- Jessica Morgan, Director, Dia Art Foundation
- Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director, Serpentine
- Adriano Pedrosa, Director, Museu de Arte de São Paulo, and Curator, 2024 Venice Biennale
- Franklin Sirmans, Director, Pérez Art Museum Miami
- Philip Tinari, Director and Chief Executive, UCCA Center for Contemporary Art
Koyo Kouoh’s inclusion in the jury underscores Art Basel’s commitment to amplifying diverse perspectives. As the Executive Director of Zeitz MOCAA and an influential curator with deep ties to contemporary African art, Kouoh has played a pivotal role in shaping global discourse around African artistic practices.
Peer Recognition and a Legacy of Excellence
Beyond the initial 36 awards announced in May, all recipients will participate in a peer review process to select 12 additional honourees, who will receive special gold medals. These names will be unveiled at Art Basel Miami Beach in December. De Bellis emphasized the importance of peer recognition, stating, “There’s no greater honour than being recognized by those who understand your work and contributions firsthand.”
The awards are being launched in partnership with Boss, the flagship brand of the Hugo Boss Group. The German fashion powerhouse has a history of supporting contemporary art, having previously sponsored the Hugo Boss Prize, which ran from 1996 to 2020 and awarded $100,000 and a solo show at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York.
As Art Basel prepares to inaugurate this groundbreaking programme, the inclusion of influential figures like Koyo Kouoh signals a new era of recognition—one that extends beyond traditional institutions and embraces the full breadth of artistic contributions worldwide.
