Tate is at a turning point as Maria Balshaw steps down after nine years as director, leaving her successor to confront what some describe as an unwieldy 'beast' of an art institution. Roland Rudd, chair of Tate, remains bullish, citing record visitor numbers and membership. However, financial headwinds from the pandemic, multiple redundancies, and culture war battles have left staff morale low.
Balshaw's Legacy
Balshaw, the first woman to lead Tate and an outsider to the institution, faced challenges from the start. She inherited an organization on an upward trajectory under Nicholas Serota but had to navigate a pandemic that left a £56 million hole in finances, leading to job cuts and strikes. She also dealt with controversies over the Rex Whistler mural and the Requiem mural by Chris Ofili.
Staff and Board Tensions
A central contradiction at Tate is the progressive workforce versus the socially conservative board. Staff have protested low pay and working conditions, while the board focuses on commercial interests. The search for a new director is underway, with candidates including Karin Hindsbo and Jessica Morgan.
The new director will need to forge a fresh financial and cultural path, addressing calls for a clear vision and mission. As Balshaw says, the leader must be 'dynamic, progressive, and future facing,' with courage to keep Tate international.
