KNMA’s global moment: Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Manuel Rabaté to lead Kiran Nadar museum

NEW DELHI: When Kiran Nadar first opened a private museum for modern and contemporary art in 2010—housed in a mall much to the surprise of the art world—her vision was clear: to make art accessible to the public and to give India a world-class museum. Now, 15 years later, that ambition is becoming reality with the appointment of Manuel Rabaté, director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, as chief executive officer and director of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA).

Rabaté’s appointment comes as KNMA prepares for its most consequential leap yet: a sprawling new campus that will put the capital on the global museum map.

A veteran museum leader with more than 25 years of international experience, Rabaté shaped Louvre Abu Dhabi into the Arab world’s first universal museum, welcoming more than six million visitors since opening in 2017. Under his leadership, the museum gained global recognition for its ambitious exhibitions, international loans, and strong focus on education and capacity-building.

In an earlier interview to TOI, Kiran Nadar, founder and chairperson of KNMA, had spoken of her desire to give Delhi an institution that would endure beyond her lifetime and transform the city through a cultural landmark like the Guggenheim Bilbao. “Very few architectural initiatives have been taken post-Independence,” she had said. “Delhi needs a masterpiece of architecture.”

That vision grew organically from a personal journey as a collector. What began with a single painting—Rameshwar Broota’s Runners—soon expanded into one of India’s most significant collections of modern and contemporary art. Today, KNMA houses thousands of works, from contemporary stars such as Bharti Kher and Nalini Malani to modern masters including M F Husain, Tyeb Mehta and S H Raza.

As Nadar, who used to be a competitive bridge player, has often acknowledged, the museum was born out of both necessity and conviction. “When the walls started filling up, I had two options: either stop buying or do something meaningful with the collection,” she had said. “Indians don’t visit museums, but I strongly feel they should be getting acquainted with the art coming out of their country.”

Speaking on Rabaté’s appointment, Nadar said, “Manuel Rabaté is one of the international art world’s most experienced and respected leaders, with a ten-year record of exceptional success heading the Louvre Abu Dhabi. As we prepare to inaugurate the new, greatly expanded Kiran Nadar Museum of Art—which, at over one million square feet, will be the largest museum and cultural center in South Asia—we welcome Manuel Rabaté as a CEO and director with the vision and skills to achieve our highest aspirations.”

Since its founding, KNMA has steadily expanded both its collection and its scope—from landmark exhibitions of Indian modernists to contemporary practices, cross-cultural dialogues, and, more recently, a dedicated performing arts programme commissioning original and interdisciplinary works. Education has remained central to its mission, with more than a million students engaged through sustained school and community outreach.

Rabaté’s appointment signals a new phase in this journey: the transition from a founder-led institution to globally benchmarked museum leadership. “KNMA is defining what a 21st-century museum can be—one that champions artists, inspires learners, and engages communities through innovative exhibitions and education programmes,” Rabaté said, calling the move both an honour and an opportunity.

He will assume the role in early spring 2026 and will continue as director of Louvre Abu Dhabi until then. At KNMA, he will work closely with the senior leadership team to steer the institution’s next phase of growth.

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