Curator Jessica Morgan named as new Tate director

The Tate has appointed Jessica Morgan as its tenth director. She will officially step into the role on January 1, 2027, succeeding Maria Balshaw. Morgan is currently the director of the Dia Art Foundation in New York, a position she has held since 2015. Her leadership at Dia included overseeing site-specific art installations and managing a collection that spans modern and contemporary works across the United States and Germany.

This appointment marks a return to the institution for Morgan. She previously spent 12 years in various curatorial roles at the Tate, including serving as the Daskalopoulos Curator of International Art from 2010 to 2014. Her background also includes time as chief curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and as a curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. She holds degrees in art history from Cambridge University and the Courtauld Institute of Art.

Roland Rudd, chairman of the Tate, cited Morgan’s track record in managing international institutions as a primary reason for her selection. Her start date aligns with preparations for the reopening of Tate Liverpool later in 2027. During the transition period, Karin Hindsbo, director of Tate Modern, continues to serve as the interim leader of the organization.

Morgan expressed that her time at the Tate informed her work at the Dia Art Foundation. She noted that her focus remains on the relationship between artists and the public. As she prepares for the move to London, she stated her intent to advance the work of the existing team to maintain the institution's position in the global art sector.