Jack Wakefield

Is Maria Balshaw such a good choice for Tate? I tremble for the art I love

The last couple of years have seen changes at the top of all of London’s major art musuems. In 2015 we saw new leadership at the British Museum and the National Gallery. This year it’s the turn of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate. The change at the top of the Tate is particularly momentous. When the last director Nick Serota was appointed Mrs Thatcher was Prime Minister and there was no Tate Modern. Furthermore the directors of Tate Modern and Tate Britain who report to the overall boss are themselves new appointments and almost all senior curators have been appointed since 2012. If there is an institution in flux, it’s the Tate.

It is, however, the V&A who have monopolised the news with the appointment of the former shadow education secretary, Tristram Hunt, to be director.

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