Art Basel Awards

Art Basel Introduces New Global Art Awards to Recognize Excellence

By Elysia Lior, 28 Feb 2025

Art Basel, one of the world’s most influential contemporary art fairs, has announced the launch of its first-ever awards program, set to debut at the upcoming Basel edition in June 2025. The initiative aims to recognize outstanding contributions to artistic innovation, curatorial excellence, and institutional impact across various disciplines.

The newly established Art Basel Awards will feature nine categories, including recognitions for emerging artists, established artists, groundbreaking curatorial projects, and influential institutions. The awards seek to highlight figures and organizations that have reshaped the contemporary art landscape, particularly those pushing boundaries in terms of artistic practice, social engagement, and technological innovation.

Marc Spiegler, Art Basel’s former global director, emphasized the need for an awards platform that celebrates artistic excellence on a truly international scale. “We recognize that today’s art world is rapidly evolving, and our goal is to honor those at the forefront of this transformation—whether through radical new mediums, bold institutional programming, or creative entrepreneurship,” he said in a statement.

The winners will be announced at a dedicated ceremony in Basel, with plans to expand the awards program to Art Basel’s other locations, including Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris, in the coming years. This move is expected to further strengthen Art Basel’s influence in shaping the global art ecosystem and fostering cross-border collaboration.