Pavilion Champion: Maria Balshaw

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Maria Balshaw, Tate Director, says:

“Rothesay Pavilion has always felt like a place full of possibility. When my family spent time on Bute, we could see how much this iconic building means to the community—and how much more it could do. The Pavilion’s restoration is a fantastic step, breathing life into a space that’s not only architecturally special but also vital for bringing people together. It’s going to be a place where ideas, art, and creativity thrive, and I’m thrilled to see it becoming a hub for new talent and energy on the island. I can’t wait to see the Pavilion thriving again!”

Maria Balshaw CBE a pivotal figure in the cultural regeneration of Manchester takes the helm at the Tate Museum. Photography by Ben Heath and Samantha Heffernan. Read more.

ABOUT Maria Balshaw CBE

Maria Balshaw’s vision as Director of Tate is reshaping the landscape of British art, positioning it as an inclusive, global platform for creativity. Known for her dynamic leadership, Balshaw has overseen the expansion of Tate’s reach and influence, championing the inclusion of more diverse voices and underrepresented artists in Tate’s exhibitions. Since becoming the first female Director of Tate in 2017, Balshaw has emphasized art’s potential to address pressing social issues, presenting it not only as a form of aesthetic enjoyment but as a powerful tool for dialogue. Her approach brings the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, and other Tate sites into a modern era where accessibility and relevance are central.

Balshaw’s career has always been driven by a commitment to expanding cultural participation. Previously the Director of the Whitworth and Manchester City Galleries, she transformed these institutions into vibrant community hubs, drawing people from all walks of life into the arts. At Tate, she continues this mission, encouraging the acquisition and exhibition of more works by women, artists of color, and creators from non-Western backgrounds. She sees Tate as a platform that reflects a broad spectrum of human experience, redefining the British art scene to encompass a global narrative. Her initiatives include major retrospectives and exhibits that challenge conventional perspectives, like the expansive Zanele Muholi photography exhibition and the Tate’s commitment to amplifying Black British artists.

Under Balshaw’s guidance, Tate has become a place where art meets activism and education, forging new partnerships to expand its social impact. She sees her role as one of stewardship, ensuring that Tate remains an evolving institution that adapts to and anticipates cultural shifts. Balshaw’s influence is evident not only in the changing exhibitions but in her focus on digital access, which has made Tate’s collections more widely available than ever before. For Balshaw, art is a universal connector that transcends social and political barriers, fostering a space where people can encounter new ideas, engage in critical thinking, and envision different futures through the lens of art.

“You could never tire of looking at this”

The following recent interview with Pam Hogg reveals her perspective as an artist as she speaks about the work of another artist.