Medalist Reception on 19 June 2025
"I had the honour to attend the inaugural Art Basel Awards Medalist Reception," - Natalia Shpytkovska. Launched in partnership with BOSS, the Art Basel Awards celebrated 36 visionary figures across nine categories. This exclusive evening during Art Basel in Basel honoured their contributions and brought together artists, collectors, curators, and cultural leaders for a moment of recognition and exchange.
Unlike conventional awards, which focus on singular achievements, the Art Basel Awards recognise practices and contributions of significant and broad impact. Honouring artists, curators, institutions, patrons, cross-disciplinary luminaries, and cultural innovators, the Art Basel Awards emphasise celebration over competition, reinforcing the idea that the future of art is not built by individuals alone, but by communities of influence. More than a title, a Medal is a call to artists and professionals across the industry to shape what comes next, as said Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel's Director of Fairs and Exhibition Platforms.
In keeping with Art Basel's mission to support the greater art ecosystem and expand avenues for creation and collaboration across the cultural landscape, Medalists gain access to Art Basel's global network, tailored mentorship, partnership opportunities, and bespoke support designed to amplify their work on an international scale.
Natalia Shpytkovska with an artist Cao Fei, and Noah Horowitz, Director of Art Basel.
For artists who receive a Gold Medal, the Art Basel Awards provides those in the Emerging category the opportunity to showcase their work at a leading global institution; those in the Established category a major commission for Art Basel; and those in the Icons category a mentoring program to nurture the next generation of rising talents.