Will Gompertz
Former BBC Arts Editor
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About Will Gompertz
Will Gompertz is the author of the international bestselling art history book What Are You Looking At? He is also one of the most respected commentators on The Arts. And when he’s not working in broadcasting he is hosting or facilitating events. In addition, he delivers entertaining speeches peppered with career anecdotes. These include mispronouncing the subject’s name in an obituary to interviewing superstars from Mick Jagger to Damian Hurst and Meryl Streep
Will Gompertz has recently been appointed the Director of Arts and Learning at The Barbican, a position he will take up from June 2021. He joins the Barbican at a pivotal time. In 2022 it will be celebrate its 40th anniversary next year.
There will be a major renewal of the building which aims to ensure the Centre will be the creative home for the next generation. He will lead the organisation in renewing its vision and purpose as a civic space for the widest inclusive community. Especially in light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
To sum up this roll, Will will be supporting and collaborating with the team of artistic and organisational leaders across the arts. He will also be involved with creative learning, marketing and communications teams. Ultimately his role will refocus the Barbican’s work in response to the different future we now face.
Will was previously a Director of The Tate Gallery.
Will Gompertz the Writer
As a writer he has penned numerous articles for, among others, The Times and the Guardian and his second book Think Like an Artist: Imaginative Ways to a More Creative and Productive Life was released by Penguin in 2015, and is a witty and inspiring read, identifying ten lessons to be learned from the greatest artists across history, to give us tools to unlock creativity and thrive at work and in our personal lives.
Will Gompertz is the author of a layman’s guide to 150 years of modern art, What Are You Looking At?, as well as Think Like an Artist, a manual to help anyone think creatively, be productive and be fulfilled by work. He has also written on the arts for The Times and the Guardian and even wrote and performed a show at the Edinburgh Fringe called Double Art History.
