Tate Director Maria Balshaw Stepping Down After Nine-Year Tenure Amidst Covid-19 Challenges
In a move that marks a new chapter for the Tate art institution, director Maria Balshaw will step down in 2026 after nine years at the helm. The decision comes amidst significant challenges faced by the organization during her tenure, including fluctuating attendance figures and financial instability due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Balshaw, who joined Tate in June 2017, has overseen a range of successful projects, including Steve McQueen's Year 3 – a groundbreaking collective school portrait that celebrated the creativity of London's seven and eight-year-olds. She has also championed marginalized artists through group shows such as Women in Revolt and Life Between Islands.
However, Balshaw's tenure has not been without controversy. The organization faced criticism for taking sponsorship from fossil fuel companies, with Balshaw herself stating that public opinion had shifted to view such partnerships as inappropriate. Tate dropped its deal with BP in 2016, following a similar move by the British Museum earlier this year.
Balshaw also faced scrutiny over allegations of discrimination, victimization, and harassment against two artists who received a six-figure settlement from the organization. In addition, staff represented by the PCS union have gone on strike over pay and conditions, with the industrial action set to continue into 2026.
Despite these challenges, Balshaw has remained committed to her core mission: to increase accessibility to art for diverse audiences. She will step down in June 2026, leaving behind a forward plan that promises to ensure the continued success of Tate under its new leadership.
As she prepares to leave, Balshaw expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as director and highlighted her enthusiasm for working on the upcoming Tracey Emin exhibition in early 2026. With her departure, Tate is set to embark on a new chapter under the guidance of a new leader, who will oversee the search process initiated by the institution itself.
Balshaw's legacy at Tate is one of ambition and innovation, marked by initiatives that have expanded the organization's reach and impact. While challenges remain, her commitment to artistic expression and accessibility has left an indelible mark on the institution she led for nine years.
In a move that marks a new chapter for the Tate art institution, director Maria Balshaw will step down in 2026 after nine years at the helm. The decision comes amidst significant challenges faced by the organization during her tenure, including fluctuating attendance figures and financial instability due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Balshaw, who joined Tate in June 2017, has overseen a range of successful projects, including Steve McQueen's Year 3 – a groundbreaking collective school portrait that celebrated the creativity of London's seven and eight-year-olds. She has also championed marginalized artists through group shows such as Women in Revolt and Life Between Islands.
However, Balshaw's tenure has not been without controversy. The organization faced criticism for taking sponsorship from fossil fuel companies, with Balshaw herself stating that public opinion had shifted to view such partnerships as inappropriate. Tate dropped its deal with BP in 2016, following a similar move by the British Museum earlier this year.
Balshaw also faced scrutiny over allegations of discrimination, victimization, and harassment against two artists who received a six-figure settlement from the organization. In addition, staff represented by the PCS union have gone on strike over pay and conditions, with the industrial action set to continue into 2026.
Despite these challenges, Balshaw has remained committed to her core mission: to increase accessibility to art for diverse audiences. She will step down in June 2026, leaving behind a forward plan that promises to ensure the continued success of Tate under its new leadership.
As she prepares to leave, Balshaw expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as director and highlighted her enthusiasm for working on the upcoming Tracey Emin exhibition in early 2026. With her departure, Tate is set to embark on a new chapter under the guidance of a new leader, who will oversee the search process initiated by the institution itself.
Balshaw's legacy at Tate is one of ambition and innovation, marked by initiatives that have expanded the organization's reach and impact. While challenges remain, her commitment to artistic expression and accessibility has left an indelible mark on the institution she led for nine years.
. on one hand, it's great that they're taking steps to ensure the organization moves forward with a new leader and continues to push the boundaries of art and accessibility. but at the same time, i feel like there's been some neglect towards the issues that have been plaguing tate for years, like the sponsorship deals with fossil fuel companies 
. it's almost like they're making these changes without fully addressing the underlying problems. still, maria balshaw's commitment to marginalized artists and increasing accessibility can't be understated 
. i'm curious to see how this new chapter unfolds 
. I do think it's a bit weird that Tate faced criticism over sponsorship from fossil fuel companies though. Like, you'd think they'd prioritize the planet over profits 
. But hey, at least Balshaw stood up for what she believed in and prioritized marginalized artists 
. Now we'll just have to see who comes in next and how they handle all that drama 
. I'm looking forward to that Tracey Emin exhibition tho... can't wait to check it out!
. But on a positive note, she did do some awesome projects like Steve McQueen's Year 3, which celebrated creativity in London kids 
The Tate is losing a leader who was all about increasing art accessibility for diverse audiences... that's something to build upon 
. It'll be interesting to see how the new leadership takes it from here 
. Her commitment to championing marginalized artists and supporting groundbreaking projects, such as Steve McQueen's Year 3 – an innovative collective school portrait – showcases her dedication to fostering creative expression 
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. As Balshaw prepares to step down, it is heartening to see her forward plan in place to ensure a seamless transition for Tate 
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. While challenges persist, I am optimistic that the lessons learned from Balshaw's tenure will inform and shape the direction of Tate moving forward 
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. On one hand, it's crazy to think about how far Balshaw took the institution, especially when she first started - her commitment to marginalized artists and accessibility was truly groundbreaking 
.
. That deal with BP? Yeah, that's gotta be super embarrassing for them 
. And those allegations of discrimination and harassment? Not okay at all 
.
. One thing's for sure though: I'm curious to see who'll be next at the helm 
I gotta say, 9 yrs is a long time for any org to be runnin' the same ship 
. Balshaw's got some amazing credits under her belt, especially with that Steve McQueen project 
... sponsorship issues, artist feuds, strikes... it's like she got hit by a bus 
. On the bright side, she stuck to her guns on accessibility and artistic expression, which is no easy feat 
. Now, I wonder who'll take the reins next? Will they keep the momentum or do things differently? Guess we'll just have to wait and see 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to give up sponsorship from fossil fuel companies? 
. Still, it's clear Balshaw's passion for art and accessibility has left a lasting impact on Tate 
!
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. I mean, who would've thought that Covid-19 would affect an art museum like this? 
!
she's been doing such amazing work to make art more accessible & inclusive 
can't wait to see what Tate has in store for us next 
. Still, it's a shame about the controversies surrounding her tenure - it's like the whole thing has been wrapped up in a big Covid-19 blanket 
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️. Not cool. And I'm all for artists having a platform, but allegations of discrimination and harassment are never okay 
they're just gonna drop balshaw like that because of some controversy 
anyway balshaw's legacy is def one of innovation but also kinda tainted by all the drama 
She had her hands full dealing with covid-19...9 yrs is a decent run tho 
and promoting marginalized artists is definitely something to be commended 
and those allegations of discrimination against 2 artists? that's just sad 
. But at the same time, it's clear that Tate has faced some tough times during her tenure, from financial struggles to staffing issues... maybe she just needs a break or something? 
The good news is that she's left behind a solid plan for the future, so we can still expect great things from Tate 
. I'm actually really excited about the upcoming Tracey Emin exhibition - can't wait to see it!