Jessica Morgan Appointed Tate Director Following Significant Pay Cut

Jessica Morgan, the former head of the Dia Art Foundation, has been appointed as the new director of Tate. Morgan, who previously worked as a curator at the institution for over a decade, will succeed Maria Balshaw in January, accepting a significant pay cut to lead the UK’s arts organization.

A High-Profile Return to Tate

The appointment of Jessica Morgan marks a homecoming for the 57-year-old curator, who spent more than ten years on staff at Tate before moving to New York in 2015 to lead the Dia Art Foundation. Her selection as the next director follows the departure of Maria Balshaw, who left the role this spring after a nine-year tenure. Morgan’s appointment was one of the final tasks completed by Keir Starmer during his time as prime minister.

Her reputation as a talented curator and tireless fundraiser made her a preferred candidate among those seeking a new direction for the institution following the long leadership era of Nicholas Serota, who served as director for 28 years and established Tate Modern. Former Tate Modern director Frances Morris described Morgan as a hugely hardworking individual with a very strong sense of what’s right.

Financial Realities and the Pay Gap

The transition comes with a stark financial reality. Tate’s chair, Roland Rudd, confirmed that Morgan accepted a very big pay cut to take the job, noting that he had offered the highest salary possible under the constrictions he faced.

Public tax filings from the Dia Art Foundation indicate that Morgan earned $814,000 in 2025—a figure exceeding £600,000. In contrast, the salary for the Tate director role has been reported in the range of £220,000 to £225,000. Despite this disparity, Morgan expressed enthusiasm for the new role, describing Tate as the world’s foremost institution for international modern and contemporary art and for British art. She noted that her previous tenure as a curator at Tate deeply informed her work at Dia, where she focused on placing artists and our public at the centre of what we do.

Mandate for Institutional Change

Morgan inherits an organization facing significant pressure. Tate has struggled with the financial fallout of the pandemic, which necessitated rounds of restructuring and redundancies. These challenges, coupled with broader debates within the arts sector, reportedly left staff morale on the floor. The institution has experienced a mix of difficulties and successes, including the record-breaking ticket sales for the Frida Kahlo exhibition and critical acclaim for the Ana Mendieta show at Tate Modern, both overseen by Balshaw.

Operational Challenges at Tate Modern

Beyond internal morale, Morgan faces the task of revitalizing visitor numbers at the flagship Tate Modern. The institution remains unique in its structure, operating four separate sites across the country, a model that leaves it more financially exposed than many other British arts organizations. Morgan, who has built a reputation for developing talent from Latin America, South Korea, south Asia, and the Middle East, once stated: What drives me on is finding the artists we’re not talking or writing about, that we’re not showing.

EXHIBICIÓN | Penumbra | Entrevista a Jessica Morgan, directora de Dia Art Foundation

The Path Toward January

Morgan is scheduled to officially start in January. Until her arrival, the institution remains under the guidance of interim director Karin Hindsbo, the former head of Tate Modern. In a statement, Morgan emphasized her commitment to the institution’s future: I look forward to this pivotal next stage at Tate and, most importantly, continuing and advancing the incredible work of Tate’s committed and talented team in the years to come.