Maria Balshaw, director of the Tate, will step down in spring 2026 after nearly a decade leading the institution. She joined in 2017, succeeding Nicholas Serota, and oversaw blockbuster exhibitions including Van Gogh and Britain, Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind, and Sargent and Fashion. Her final project will be a major survey of Tracey Emin. The Tate credited her with diversifying the collection, improving gender and geographic balance, and growing membership to 150,000, the largest arts membership globally.
Balshaw's departure comes amid financial and operational challenges. The Tate cut 7% of its workforce and ran a deficit budget for 2024/25, while staff walked out over pay disputes. Attendance has dropped significantly post-pandemic, with Tate Modern down 25%, Tate Britain 32%, and Tate St Ives 37% compared to 2019. Her exit marks a leadership transition at a pivotal moment for the institution as it seeks to balance fiscal sustainability with its mission of broadening audiences.