Medal of Honour for Maria Balshaw

21 Feb 2018

University bestows its highest Medal award on former Director of the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester City Galleries

Dr Maria Balshaw CBE, current Director of Tate, has been awarded the University’s highest Medal, the Medal of Honour.

Maria took over the role at Tate in June 2017 where she has overall responsibility for strategic direction and day-to- day operations and, working with others, for furthering Tate’s mission to promote the public understanding and enjoyment of British art, and of twentieth-century and contemporary art.

Previously, as Director of the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester City Galleries, Maria was responsible for the artistic and strategic vision for each gallery.

During this period, Maria oversaw the £17 million transformation of the Whitworth, which was subsequently awarded the Art Fund Museum of the Year award for 2015. As Director of Culture for Manchester City Council from 2013-2017, Maria played a leading role in establishing the city as a major cultural centre, including the development of a new £110 million arts venue, the Factory, as the new site for Manchester International Festival from 2020.

Maria is a Board Member of Arts Council England, the Clore Leadership Programme and Manchester International Festival. Maria was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the arts in June 2015.