Will Gompertz is an English arts journalist, broadcaster, author, and cultural leader who has spent decades helping wider audiences understand art and creativity. Best known for serving as the BBC’s first Arts Editor, he became a familiar face and voice in British cultural journalism through television, radio, writing, and interviews with major artists and creative figures. His career has also included senior positions at Tate, the Barbican Centre, and Sir John Soane’s Museum, making him an important figure in the presentation and discussion of art in Britain.
Quick Bio of Will Gompertz
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Edward Gompertz |
| Date of Birth | 25 August 1965 |
| Birthplace | Tenterden, Kent, England |
| Profession | Journalist, Broadcaster, Author, Cultural Leader |
| Known For | BBC Arts Editor |
| Former Institution | Tate |
| Barbican Role | Artistic Director |
| Current/Recent Museum Role | Director, Sir John Soane’s Museum |
| Notable Books | What Are You Looking At?, Think Like an Artist, See What You’re Missing |
| Nationality | British |
Early Life and Introduction to the Arts
Will Gompertz was born on 25 August 1965 in Tenterden, Kent, England. His route into the arts world was not a conventional academic journey. He left school at the age of 16 and experienced different kinds of work before finding a more direct connection with the performing and visual arts.
One particularly important early experience came when he worked as a stagehand at Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Being behind the scenes exposed him to the practical side of theatre and introduced him to a creative environment that would eventually influence the direction of his professional life.
Rather than following a traditional route into arts journalism, Gompertz developed his career through practical experience, curiosity, communication, and an ability to explain complicated cultural subjects in an accessible way.
Career at Tate
Before becoming widely known through the BBC, Gompertz spent several years working at Tate, one of Britain’s best-known groups of art museums. He spent around seven years at the institution and became involved in its media and communications activities.
His work at Tate gave him valuable experience in presenting art to audiences beyond the traditional museum visitor. This period also helped establish his reputation as someone who could communicate artistic ideas to the public in a lively and understandable manner.
His experience in museums, combined with his journalism background, later became an important foundation for his broadcasting career.
Becoming the BBC’s First Arts Editor
One of the most significant stages of Will Gompertz’s career began in 2009, when he became the BBC’s first Arts Editor. The appointment gave him a prominent role in covering developments across the arts and cultural world.
During his BBC career, he reported on exhibitions, theatre, film, music, architecture, literature, and contemporary art. He also interviewed artists and cultural figures and presented programmes and documentaries for different BBC platforms.
His approach was particularly notable for trying to make art understandable to people who might not normally consider themselves experts. Instead of assuming that viewers already understood artistic terminology or historical context, he often explained subjects in straightforward language.
This ability helped make him recognizable to a broad British audience and established him as one of the BBC’s most prominent arts journalists.
Will Gompertz as an Author
Writing has been another major part of Gompertz’s career. His books have focused on art, creativity, and the ways people can look at the world differently.
One of his best-known books is What Are You Looking At?, which explores the history of modern art and introduces readers to important artists and movements. The book reflects his broader approach to art: complicated ideas can be explained without making them inaccessible.
He also wrote Think Like an Artist, a book that examines creative habits and approaches associated with successful artists. Rather than treating creativity as something restricted to professional artists, the book considers how creative thinking can influence everyday life and work.
Another notable title is See What You’re Missing, which encourages readers to pay closer attention to the visual world around them. Across his books, Gompertz has consistently shown an interest in making people more curious about art and creativity.
Move to the Barbican Centre
After leaving the BBC, Gompertz took on another important cultural leadership position. In 2021, he became Artistic Director of the Barbican Centre in London.
The Barbican is a major arts and cultural institution with programmes covering areas such as visual arts, theatre, dance, music, film, and education. As Artistic Director, Gompertz was involved in shaping the institution’s artistic direction and programming.
The position represented a shift from journalism and broadcasting into senior cultural management. His previous experience at Tate and the BBC gave him a combination of museum, media, and public-communication knowledge that was relevant to the role.
Director of Sir John Soane’s Museum
Gompertz’s career continued to develop in museum leadership. In 2023, Sir John Soane’s Museum announced him as its new Director, with him taking up the position in January 2024.
The museum is dedicated to the architect Sir John Soane and contains an unusual collection of architecture, art, antiquities, and objects. The institution’s distinctive character provides a different setting from the BBC or Barbican, but it also connects with Gompertz’s long-standing interest in making cultural collections accessible to broad audiences.
His appointment added another chapter to a career that has moved between journalism, broadcasting, museums, and arts leadership.
His Approach to Art and Creativity
A consistent feature of Will Gompertz’s work has been his focus on accessibility. Art can sometimes appear difficult because of specialist terminology, historical references, or unfamiliar ideas. Gompertz has generally approached these subjects by explaining the context and encouraging curiosity.
His work demonstrates that arts journalism is not simply about reporting exhibitions or reviewing cultural events. It can also involve helping audiences understand why an artwork was created, what an artist was attempting to communicate, and how a particular work fits into a wider cultural story.
This communication-focused approach has been especially visible in his books and broadcasting.
Why Will Gompertz Remains a Recognizable Arts Figure
Will Gompertz’s career stands out because it has covered several different sides of the cultural sector. He has worked inside major museums, reported for one of Britain’s largest broadcasters, written books for general audiences, and held senior artistic leadership positions.
His professional journey also demonstrates how a career in the arts does not necessarily have to follow one fixed route. His early experience at Sadler’s Wells, followed by work at Tate, the BBC, the Barbican, and Sir John Soane’s Museum, illustrates how different experiences can contribute to a long-term career in cultural institutions.
For readers interested in art, journalism, museums, or creativity, his career offers an interesting example of how communication can connect cultural organizations with wider audiences.
Will Gompertz’s work continues to reflect a strong interest in art, creativity, and public engagement. From his years at the BBC to his leadership roles in major cultural institutions and his books about art and creative thinking, he has built a career around helping people look at culture from fresh perspectives. For more biographies, cultural stories, and informative features, readers can also explore Mating Press, where subjects from different areas of public life and culture are covered.
FAQs About Will Gompertz
Who is Will Gompertz?
Will Gompertz is an English journalist, broadcaster, author, and arts leader known particularly for his work as the BBC’s first Arts Editor.
When was Will Gompertz born?
Will Gompertz was born on 25 August 1965 in Tenterden, Kent, England.
What was Will Gompertz’s role at the BBC?
He became the BBC’s first Arts Editor in 2009 and spent many years reporting and presenting programmes about art and culture.
What books has Will Gompertz written?
His notable books include What Are You Looking At?, Think Like an Artist, and See What You’re Missing.
Did Will Gompertz work at Tate?
Yes. Before joining the BBC, he spent around seven years working at Tate, including involvement with Tate Media.
What role did Will Gompertz have at the Barbican?
He became Artistic Director of the Barbican Centre in 2021, with responsibility for its artistic direction and programmes.
What is Will Gompertz’s connection to Sir John Soane’s Museum?
He was announced as the museum’s new Director in 2023 and took up the role in January 2024.
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