Related Articles
-Editorial
Art Basel unveiled its inaugural class of Gold Awardees on Dec. 4 during a large-scale ceremony at the Frank Gehry–designed New World Center, marking the culmination of the organization’s first-ever Art Basel Awards cycle. The awards aim to recognize excellence, innovation, and leadership across the contemporary art ecosystem, highlighting artists, institutions, and cultural practitioners shaping global artistic discourse.
The evening program was hosted by Grammy Award-winning producer Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean, who guided guests through a program blending music, performance, architecture, and visual design. The event followed the program’s initial milestone in Basel, Switzerland, earlier this year and expanded the initiative’s reach in Miami Beach.
Dynamic lighting, architectural projections, and a live orchestral performance by musicians from the New World Symphony set the tone for the ceremony. A special performance by artist Kelsey Lu, who blended classical and experimental sounds, served as the emotional high point of the evening. The red carpet and post-show program were hosted by cultural commentator Dylan Kelly.
The ceremony featured a virtual appearance by actor Emma D’Arcy, who helped present the awards to 11 honorees selected through a peer-driven voting process. Awardees included Cecilia Vicuña (Icon); Nairy Baghramian and Ibrahim Mahama (Established); Mohammad Alfaraj and Saodat Ismailova (Emerging); Formafantasma (Cross-Disciplinary); Joel Wachs (Patron); RAW Material Company (Institution); Candice Hopkins (Curator); Gasworks/Triangle Network (Allies); and Negar Azimi (Media & Storytelling). Each received a blown-glass trophy designed by Swiss architect Jacques Herzog of Herzog & de Meuron and crafted in collaboration with a Basel foundry. Honors in the artist categories include a share of nearly $300,000 in unrestricted annual support.
The event also marked the introduction of the BOSS Award for Outstanding Achievement, recognizing individuals whose work demonstrates significant cultural impact beyond traditional art boundaries. The inaugural award was presented to Meriem Bennani.
Following the ceremony, honorees and attendees participated in an intimate rooftop after-party featuring a DJ set by Miami-based producer Natalia Roth. Guests mingled against the Miami Beach skyline, closing the evening with conversations and creative exchanges.
The event drew leading figures from the worlds of art, design, fashion, and entertainment. Notable attendees included A$AP Ferg, Khalid, Fridayy, Malcolm Jenkins, Kimberly Drew, Tyshawn Jones, and LUNAY. Curators and museum leaders such as Erin Christovale, Es Devlin, Mike Winkelmann (“Beeple”), Sandra Jackson-Dumont, Pablo León de la Barra, Stefanie Hessler, and Hans Ulrich Obrist were also present. Prominent gallerists and collectors, including David Maupin, Mónica Manzutto, Nicola Vassell, Marc Payot, Don and Mera Rubell, Gardy St. Fleur, and Komal Shah, attended as well.
Art Basel leadership, including CEO Noah Horowitz, Chief Artistic Officer Vincenzo de Bellis, and the directors of Art Basel’s global fairs, joined the celebration. Bridget Finn (Miami Beach), Maike Cruse (Basel), Angelle Siyang-Le (Hong Kong), Karim Crippa (Paris), and Carly Murphy (Collector and Institutional Relations) were among those representing the organization.
The Art Basel Awards are presented in partnership with BOSS, with additional support from the City of Miami Beach, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, and event partner Perro Verde Mezcal. Event photography was provided courtesy of Getty.