The Courtauld Institute of Art is proud to announce the conferment of Honorary Doctorate degrees (Doctor Honoris Causa) to two distinguished figures in the field of Art History: Professor Deborah Swallow CBE, and Frances Morris CBE.
Professor Deborah Swallow CBE is an esteemed art historian and social anthropologist. With a deep interest in the arts, culture and religion of the Indian subcontinent, Professor Swallow was formally curator at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, and Keeper of the newly combined Asian Department and Director of Collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Under her leadership as The Courtauld’s Märit Rausing Director from 2004 – 2023, the newly independent Courtauld flourished, consolidating its core strengths and diversifying its curriculum, as well as successfully completing the first phase of the landmark Courtauld Connects project, a transformative capital and programmatic campaign to position The Courtauld for its second century. She is Trustee of several arts charities in the UK and India, and President of the Royal Anthropological Institute. In 2023, she was awarded a CBE for her significant contribution to art and education.
Frances Morris CBE is a distinguished curator and museum director. After completing her MA at The Courtauld (1983), Morris started her career at the Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol before moving to the Tate in 1987. As curator; Director of Collection, International Art; and ultimately Director of Tate Modern, she has played a critical role in the opening of Tate Modern and shaping its collecting and exhibitions programmes. Among her many exceptional accomplishments, under her leadership women artists and international artists came to the centre of Tate Modern’s programme and collections. Her major curatorial achievements include retrospectives of Louise Bourgeois, Yayoi Kusama, Agnes Martin, as well as the ground-breaking Hilma Af Klint & Piet Mondrian: Forms of Life. Since leaving Tate in 2023, she continues curating and teaching in the UK and internationally and remains an inspiring figure for many across the art world.
The conferring of these Honorary Doctorates underscores The Courtauld’s dedication to recognising leaders in the fields of Art and Art History who demonstrate extraordinary accomplishments and inspire future generations. The honorary degrees were presented at The Courtauld’s Graduation Ceremony on 10 July 2024.
