Jessica Morgan has been appointed as the new director of Tate, the prominent British arts institution, effective January 1. Morgan returns to Tate after previously serving as a senior curator and is tasked with leading the organization through a critical period focused on financial resilience and audience growth.
Morgan, 57, takes the helm at Tate nearly three years after the institution recorded a balanced budget following several years of deficits and pandemic-related restructurings. The Tate comprises galleries in London, Liverpool, and Cornwall, housing the national collection of British art from 1500 alongside international modern and contemporary works.
Under the leadership of Maria Balshaw, who stepped down in March after nine years as Tate’s first female director, the institution faced criticism for an increased focus on contemporary artists at the expense of its permanent collection. During this time, visitor numbers remained below pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated six million visitors in 2024-25. However, recent exhibitions—such as retrospectives of Dame Tracey Emin, JMW Turner, John Constable, and a high-profile Frida Kahlo show that set a record for pre-sale tickets—have garnered positive responses.
Morgan previously worked at Tate from 2002 to 2014, notably helping to secure philanthropic support to acquire works by artists from the Middle East and South Asia. More recently, she has served as director of the Dia Art Foundation in New York, where she oversaw fundraising efforts and expanded the institution’s collection.
Roland Rudd, chair of Tate’s board, described the selection process as competitive and praised Morgan for her leadership qualities and vision. Candidates considered included Karin Hindsbo, who has served as interim director since Balshaw’s departure, and Laurence des Cars, former head of the Louvre Museum. Rudd emphasized broad support among trustees and praised Morgan’s rapport with donors and artists alike.
Morgan holds degrees in art history from Cambridge University and the Courtauld Institute of Art. In a statement, she expressed her enthusiasm for advancing Tate’s mission and supporting its team through the next phase of the institution’s development.
Among Morgan’s immediate priorities will be evaluating Tate’s multi-site structure and strengthening philanthropic efforts to address real-term decreases in government funding, which currently comprise about one-third of the institution’s revenue. She will also be navigating tensions with the National Gallery, whose recent fundraising campaign aims to expand its collection into the 20th century—a move that has caused some unease within Tate.
On a broader scale, Morgan will engage with sector-wide discussions including government proposals to introduce entry fees for overseas visitors at major cultural institutions such as Tate, the National Gallery, and the British Museum. While Morgan has not publicly addressed these plans, Tate noted that Dia enhanced access by expanding free admission during her tenure.
Filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen, whose work featured in a Tate Modern retrospective in 2018, expressed optimism about Morgan’s leadership, saying the future “looks bright” with her direction.