Art Basel unveiled its first class of Gold Awardees with a captivating, high-impact event in Miami on December 4th at the Frank Gehry-designed New World Center, marking the culmination of the inaugural Art Basel Awards cycle. Dedicated to advancing excellence and innovation across the contemporary art ecosystem, the Art Basel Awards recognize practitioners whose work is shaping the future of contemporary culture.
In partnership with BOSS, the landmark event united global cultural leaders for a multisensory celebration at Miami’s New World Center. Hosted by Grammy Award-winning producer Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean, the evening offered guests a richly layered experience – an interplay of music, architecture, performance, gastronomy, and cross-cultural exchange. Following the program’s initial milestone in Basel, Switzerland, this June, the celebration in Miami Beach reflected the breadth and ambition of the Awards program itself.
Guided by a virtual appearance from Emma D’Arcy, the ceremony honored 11 individuals and organizations selected through a unique peer-driven voting process: 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).
Multidisciplinary artist Cecilia Vicuña won the inaugural Icon Artist Gold Medal. Selected from six nominees, she was honored for her enduring practice surrounding pressing concerns of the modern world, including ecological destruction, human rights, and cultural homogenization.
Hosting the inaugural Art Basel Awards was truly an honor. For the first time, the entire arts ecosystem – from artists to cultural leaders and the many people working behind the scenes around the world – was recognized on a global stage. Through The Dean Collection, we’ve always believed in championing artists, and tonight embodied that energy in the most powerful way. Being invited to lead the first edition was deeply meaningful, and I’m proud to have helped set the tone for a night that will resonate for years to come. ‘By the artist, For the artist, With the people!!’’ Swizz Beatz
Guests entered an environment transformed through dynamic lighting, architectural projections and a live orchestral performance by musicians from the New World Symphony. A special performance by Kelsey Lu – bridging classical and experimental sound worlds – created the night’s powerful emotional crescendo. The evening’s red carpet and after-party were hosted by cultural commentator Dylan Kelly, setting the tone for a night centered on creative exchange and cross-disciplinary dialogue.
The atmosphere and program underscored the Awards’ mission to spotlight visionary cultural voices, celebrate excellence across disciplines, and position Miami Beach as a global, cross-cultural stage for contemporary creativity.
Each recipient was honored with a handmade blown-glass trophy designed by Swiss architect Jacques Herzog of Herzog & de Meuron – each uniquely formed to evoke the shape of breath – produced in collaboration with a Basel-based foundry. Gold Awards in the artist categories confer immediate, flexible support by distributing a total of nearly USD 300,000 annually in honorariums and philanthropic gifts.
The night also marked the debut of the BOSS Award for Outstanding Achievement, recognizing exceptional cultural impact across and beyond the art ecosystem. It celebrates innovative work that inspires change, and embodies the BOSS values of boldness, personal authenticity, ambition, and responsibility. This year’s recipient is Meriem Bennani.
Following the ceremony, honorees, partners, and guests gathered for an intimate rooftop after- party featuring a DJ set by Puerto Rican-born, Miami-based DJ and producer Natalia Roth, who brought a fresh, contemporary pulse to the evening with her modern and minimal house and techno sound. Set against the Miami Beach skyline, the evening closed with guests mingling through music, conversation, and spontaneous creative exchanges, creating a vibrant, cross-disciplinary finale.
For more information on the Art Basel Awards 2025 visit: https://www.artbaselawards.com
