BOSS is proud to announce its role as Presenting Partner of the all-new Art Basel Awards, consolidating its connection with the world’s leading voices in contemporary art and culture.
Unlike conventional awards which focus on singular achievements, The Art Basel Awards recognize practices and contributions of broad and significant impact. They are designed to honor innovative artists creating boundary-crossing works, as well as the organizations and individuals who support them in creating transformative cultural change.
Through its partnership with Art Basel, BOSS aims to recognize those driving the future of art through their creativity, vision, and the strength of the collective. With the support of BOSS, The Art Basel Awards aim to nurture a self-sustaining ecosystem and alumni network, with the continued objective of powering the future of art.
Support for contemporary art is a fundamental part of the culture at HUGO BOSS, which has a long standing objective to foster interaction between fashion and art and inspire a global public dialog. “Fashion and art are deeply connected and, as a result, art is an integral part of our DNA. HUGO BOSS has a 30-year history of art sponsorship and by supporting The Art Basel Awards with BOSS, we are taking our commitment to the next level. We are excited to continue driving innovation in the arts and its related fields. With its premium positioning, global relevance, and pioneering spirit, we believe Art Basel is the perfect partner for this endeavor,” said Daniel Grieder, CEO of HUGO BOSS.
The Art Basel Awards will have nine overarching categories, of which three will be dedicated to artists: Emerging to Established and Iconic creators of art. The remaining six will focus on key players behind the-scenes: curators, museums and institutions, patrons, allies, cross-disciplinary creators, and media and storytellers.
Chaired by Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s Director of Fairs and Exhibition Platforms, an International Jury of experts will award Medals to 36 individuals and organizations in recognition of their groundbreaking contributions. Then, in a unique peer-to-peer review and voting process, the 36 Art Basel Medalists will designate 12 Gold Medalists from within their cohort—six artists, and six industry wide champions—who best exemplify the Awards’ vision.
Rewards will be tailored to each recipient and their respective category, with Medals unlocking extraordinary new opportunities for creation, exhibition, patronage, and research. For artists who receive a Gold Medal, The Art Basel Awards will reward those in the Emerging category the opportunity to stage an exhibition at a leading global institution; those in the Established category a major project commission for Art Basel; and those in the Icons category a mentoring program to nurture the next generation of rising talents.
“The Art Basel Awards tap the global power of our brand in new and truly significant ways, underlining our absolute commitment to industry leadership through innovation and impact. With this initiative, Art Basel stands to deliver ever more opportunities for the art world’s key players, forge new paths for exchange and collaboration across industries, and create new touchpoints with our core and rapidly expanding audience. We are thrilled to partner with BOSS, a brand which can look back on a longstanding history of art sponsorship, to celebrate the cutting-edge work driving the future of art and culture,” said Noah Horowitz, CEO, Art Basel.
The 36 Art Basel Medalists will be announced in May, and celebrated at a premier reception in June, during Art Basel’s flagship Swiss fair. The 12 Gold Medalists will be honored at an exclusive award event—an immersive celebration to be held during Art Basel Miami Beach in December.
