William Edward Gompertz[1] (born 1965)[2] is an English journalist, author and art critic. He was formerly the BBC's arts editor[3] before moving to a position as the Barbican Centre's Artistic Director from 1 June 2021.[4]

Family and education edit

Gompertz is the son of general practitioner Hugh Gompertz OBE and a second cousin of Simon Gompertz, at one time personal finance correspondent for BBC News.[5] He is a relation of Benjamin, Isaac and Lewis Gompertz.[6] He was born in Tenterden, Kent, and attended Dulwich Preparatory School, in Cranbrook, Kentand then Bedford School. He was expelled from school aged 16 and left with no A-levels.[7]

Gompertz married teacher Kate Anderson, daughter of Sir Eric Anderson, in 1993 and they have three sons and one daughter.[8]

Career edit

Gompertz was previously director of Tate Media, and appeared in a show at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2009 called Double Art History.[9] Gompertz has written extensively for The Guardian and The Times newspapers. He is the author of What Are You Looking At?: 150 Years of Modern Art in the Blink of an Eye[10] and Think Like an Artist.[11]

It was announced, on 4 August 2023, that he would take over as Director of London's Sir John Soane's Museum from January 2024.[12]

References edit

  1. ^ "William Edward Gompertz". Financial Times. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Think like an artist : . . . and Lead a More Creative, Productive Life". National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  3. ^ BBC News appoints Will Gompertz as first Arts Editor BBC Press Office, 28 August 2009
  4. ^ "Barbican appoints Will Gompertz as new Director of Arts and Learning | Barbican". www.barbican.org.uk. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  5. ^ Will Gompertz: "We're brought up to be intimidated by art" The Observer 25 July 2010 Retrieved 29 March 2011
  6. ^ "Will Gompertz: Cancel culture is stifling the arts". Prospect Magazine. June 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  7. ^ Law, Katie (15 July 2015). "Will Gompertz: "We are all artists. We just have to believe it". Evening Standard.
  8. ^ Urwin, Rosamund (15 December 2023). "Will Gompertz: Stop dumbing down TV" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  9. ^ BBC News hires Tate Media's Will Gompertz as arts editor The Guardian, 2 September 2009
  10. ^ Lewis, Ben (9 September 2012). "What Are You Looking At?: 150 Years of Modern Art in the Blink of an Eye by Will Gompertz – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  11. ^ Kampfner, John (19 July 2015). "Think Like an Artist review – where's the big picture?". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Will Gompertz to take over as Director of the Sir John Soane's Museum". ianVisits. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.

External links edit

Media offices
New title Arts Editor: BBC News
2009–2021
Position abolished