Jessica Morgan has been named the new Tate director, accepting a significant pay cut to return to the institution where she once curated groundbreaking exhibitions. Her appointment comes at a critical time for the museum, which faces financial pressures and morale challenges.
Jessica Morgan Returns to Tate
Morgan, who previously worked at Tate for over a decade, is currently leading the Dia Art Foundation in New York. She will replace Maria Balshaw, who left after nine years. According to Dia’s tax filings, Morgan earned $814,000 in 2025—more than £600,000—while Balshaw’s salary was between £220,000 and £225,000. Tate chair Roland Rudd confirmed Morgan is taking a “very big pay cut” to take the role.
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Financial Landscape and Challenges
The museum is navigating a difficult financial landscape after pandemic-related losses led to redundancies and restructuring. Visitation numbers remain inconsistent, and staff morale is described as low. Morgan is expected to be an “agent of change” who will question many existing practices while carrying the team forward.
| Role | Salary (2025) |
|---|---|
| Jessica Morgan (Dia Art Foundation) | $814,000 |
| Maria Balshaw (Tate) | £220,000–£225,000 |
| Estimated Tate director salary for Morgan | ~£200,000–£225,000 |
Key Takeaways
- Morgan returns to Tate after a decade at Dia, accepting a major pay reduction.
- She faces pressing issues: budget constraints, low staff morale, and fluctuating visitor numbers.
- Her leadership style is described as collaborative and transformative.
- Morgan plans to continue advancing the work of Tate’s talented team.
FAQ
Who is Jessica Morgan?
Jessica Morgan is a renowned curator and museum leader. She previously worked at Tate for over ten years and recently led the Dia Art Foundation in New York. She has been named the new director of Tate.
Why did Jessica Morgan take a pay cut?
Morgan accepted a significantly lower salary—reportedly taking a big pay cut from her $814,000 compensation at Dia—because she believes in Tate's mission and sees it as an opportunity to lead the world's foremost modern art institution during a critical period.
What challenges does the new Tate director face?
Tate is grappling with financial pressures from the pandemic, staff morale issues, and fluctuating visitor numbers. Morgan will need to guide the organization through these challenges while implementing changes and maintaining staff trust.
Morgan expressed it is an immense privilege to lead Tate, calling it the “world’s foremost institution for international modern and contemporary art and for British art.” Her appointment marks a new chapter for the museum, with hopes that her collaborative approach will restore stability and innovation.