Miami Beach’s New World Center was the scene of a historic celebration as Swizz Beatz, Grammy-winning producer and visionary cultural leader, hosted the first-ever Art Basel Awards Night—an event set to redefine the future of contemporary culture. This epic night honored the brightest minds shaping art, design, music, and social impact, uniting top creators, collectors, curators, and global icons.
The ceremony celebrated 11 distinguished awardees, including icons Cecilia Vicuña and emerging talents Mohammad Alfaraj and Saodat Ismailova.
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).
Honorees received unique breath-shaped glass trophies crafted by Herzog & de Meuron, symbolizing life’s vitality. A special BOSS Award for Outstanding Achievement was presented to Meriem Bennani, recognizing impactful cultural work.
Guests enjoyed dynamic performances, visionary lighting, and a stunning rooftop after-party with a DJ set by Miami-based Natalia Roth, against Miami’s skyline.
Notable attendees included leading figures from across art, design, fashion, and culture, as well as prominent voices from music and entertainment. Among them were Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean, Kelsey Lu, A$AP Ferg, Khalid, and Fridayy. Additional guests included Malcolm Jenkins, Dylan Kelly, Kimberly Drew, Tyshawn Jones, LUNAY, Larsen Thompson, Paris Hilinski, Zarina Yeva, Ashley LaMarca, Angel McCoughtry, Jordan Rand, Francelys Infante, Nikki Kynard, Nasteha and Nuni Yusuf, Jimmy Akingobla, Edgar Berlanga, Maxi Peters, and Kennedy Yanko.
The evening brought together many of the art world’s most influential curators and museum leaders, including Erin Christovale, Es Devlin, Mike Winkelmann (“Beeple”), Pablo León de la Barra, Pablo José Ramírez, Ruba Katrib, Sandra Jackson-Dumont, Stefanie Hessler, Susan Lacy, Yasmil Raymond, András Szántó, and Hans Ulrich Obrist. They were joined by leading gallerists such as Alan Cristea, David Maupin, François Ghebaly, Friedrich Petzel, Gordon VeneKlasen, José Kuri, Kamel Mennour, Lorenzo Fiaschi, Marc Payot, Marc Straus, Mónica Manzutto, Nicola Vassell, Peter Freeman, Hannah Traore, Wendy Olsoff, Xavier Hufkens, Glenn Scott Wright, Rachel Lehmann, Gabrielle Richardson, and Nicola Lees.
Notable patrons and collectors in attendance included Benny Gross, Catherine Petitgas, Don and Mera Rubell, Ellen von Unwerth, Karen Boros, Komal Shah, Larry Ossei-Mensah, Nicolai Frahm, Nicolas Berggruen, Pablo Rodriguez-Fraile, Susan Hort, and Gardy St. Fleur.
Guided by influential curators and museum leaders, and supported by the City of Miami Beach and global partners, the night underscored Miami’s pivotal role in shaping tomorrow’s cultural landscape—a night that will resonate for years to come.
Art Basel Awards Gold Awardees 2025
ICON ARTIST
- Cecilia Vicuña
ESTABLISHED ARTISTS
- Nairy Baghramian
- Ibrahim Mahama
EMERGING ARTISTS
- Mohammad Alfaraj
- Saodat Ismailova
CROSS-DISCIPLINARY CREATORS
- Formafantasma
PATRONS
- Joel Wachs
INSTITUTIONS
- RAW Material Company
CURATORS
- Candice Hopkins
ALLIES
- Gasworks / Triangle Network
MEDIA AND STORYTELLERS
- Negar Azimi
BOSS AWARD for Outstanding Achievement
- Meriem Bennani
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In loving memory of Koyo Kouoh (December 24, 1967 – May 10, 2025)
Art Basel Awards is deeply grateful for Koyo’s spirited participation as a Juror of this year’s edition and her unwavering commitment to the Awards’ mission to uplift the next generation of cultural changemakers, of which she was emblematic. The Awards honor Koyo’s life and carry forward her enduring example and legacy.