Dia’s Jessica Morgan Named Director of Tate
4July 22, 2026
Tatehas announcedJessica Morganas its new director. Morgan arrives to the London institution from New York’sDia Art Foundation, where she has served as director for over a decade. She succeeds Maria Balshaw, whodeparted this past springafter nine years in charge. Morgan will step into her new role in January 2027. As director, she will oversee theTate BritainandTate Modern, as well as the institution’sLiverpoolandSt. Ivesbranches.
Morgan—who held various roles atTatebetween 2002 and 2014, including curator of international art—had been widely viewed as the top pick for the job, but money was an issue, with Morgan believed to have been earning considerably more than Balshaw. Tate chair Roland Roland Rudd toldThe Guardianthat Morgan took a “very big pay cut” in accepting the position.
She joins Tate at a turbulent time for the institution, which is struggling financially, with a recent report revealing that it is operating at a loss. Tate attempted to rectify funding issues through staff cuts, sending staff morale plummeting and spurring a strike. As well, both Tate Britain and Tate Modern saw significantly lower visitor numbers last year than they had enjoyed prior to the pandemic, despite well-received surveys of Tracey Emin and Frida Kahlo.
“It is an immense privilege to be asked by the trustees to become the new director,” said Morgan in a statement. “Tate is undoubtedly the world’s foremost institution for international modern and contemporary art and for British art, leading the field through its collection and exhibition program.”
Morgan joined Dia as director in 2015. While at the foundation, she diversified its collection and increased the representation of women. Earlier, at Tate, she organized the well-regarded 2015 survey “The World Goes Pop” as well as solo exhibitions of Saloua Raouda Choucair and Gabriel Orozco. Morgan also held curatorial roles at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston.
“Jessica is an exceptional leader and a deeply respected figure across the sector,” said Rudd in a statement. “Her visionary revitalization of Dia Art Foundation, as well as her prior experience at Tate and her many years working with artists and institutions around the world, make her the ideal person to lead Tate into a new era.”