Jessica Morgan, former curator at Tate and head of the Dia Art Foundation in New York, has been appointed as the new director of Tate, succeeding Maria Balshaw after nine years. Balshaw's tenure saw nine culture secretaries and significant challenges, including Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these hurdles, record-breaking exhibitions such as Frida Kahlo and Tracey Emin shows at Tate Modern, and Turner & Constable and Lee Miller at Tate Britain, suggest that claims of an "existential crisis" are overstated.
Visitor numbers and financial pressures
Visitor numbers in London last year remained over 2 million below pre-pandemic levels, with the number of 16- to 24-year-olds from Europe nearly halved. However, Tate Modern remains among the top 10 most visited museums globally. The reopening of Tate Liverpool, closed for refurbishment in 2023, has been delayed until 2027 due to funding shortfalls. Staff strikes and redundancies across the galleries indicate an institution under financial strain.
Legacy and future direction
Balshaw's commitment to diversifying the collection and promoting marginalised artists is expected to continue under Morgan, who has a strong track record in this area. The era of Nicholas Serota, who launched Tate Modern during the Cool Britannia period, saw landmark works like Olafur Eliasson's The Weather Project, which attracted over 2 million visitors in 2003. Recent Turbine Hall commissions have lost their appeal, and the Turner Prize faces criticism for becoming obscure.
External challenges
The National Gallery's plan to drop its 1900 cut-off encroaches on Tate Modern's domain, and the possibility of ending free museum access in the UK raises fundamental questions. Funding remains a critical issue; Balshaw took a stand against fossil fuel donations. According to The Gentlewoman, Morgan is "one of the great collection-builders of our time" and is "armed with an American unflappability about asking rich people for money." YBA artist Gavin Turk likened the role to "the England football manager job now," requiring support for artists and convincing the public with shows.
Balancing change and stability
Morgan, hailed as "an agent of change" like the new prime minister, faces the monumental task of making lasting change without alienating core supporters, while inspiring confidence at home and abroad amid tight budgets.
