Will Gompertz

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]

Gompertz at the 2024 Ealing Book Festival

Family and education

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, Kent and 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

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

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

• Will Gompertz at IMDb
• BBC blog

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