Paula Cooper Gallery in New York has won the inaugural Art Basel Gallery Legacy Award, a new prize that recognizes long-standing galleries and supports the next generation of dealers. As part of the award, Cooper nominated Chapter NY, a younger New York gallery founded in 2013, which will receive up to $50,000 toward participation costs for Art Basel next year. The award was announced at a dinner that also honored the 2026 Art Basel Awards Medallists, including Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, and Pamela Joyner.
The award addresses a gap in institutional recognition for galleries, which are often overlooked compared to artists. By pairing an established gallery with a rising one, the prize reinforces Art Basel's commitment to its core constituency and highlights the importance of mentorship and legacy in the art world. Paula Cooper Gallery, which opened in 1968 with a politically charged exhibition, has represented major artists like Donald Judd, Cecily Brown, and Lynda Benglis over nearly six decades.