Manuel Rabaté. 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.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSanjay Raut Raises Doubts Over Ajit Pawar Plane Crash, Seeks Thorough Probe’Cricket Or Cowardice?’ Opposition MPs Lash BCCI After Pakistan Boycott India Clash In T20 World CupPakistan’s Balochistan Operation Under Scrutiny As India Calls Out Deflection Tactics To Shift BlameShashi Tharoor Claims India ‘Surrendered’ To US Pressure By Stopping Chabahar Port Fund in BudgetFM Nirmala Sitharaman Cites Operation Sindoor To Defend A Decade Of Defence Investment And Reforms’India Now Central To Global Growth’, Says FM Nirmala Sitharaman As Elon Musk Flags Power ShiftShots Fired Outside Rohit Shetty’s Bungalow In Mumbai, Cops Detain FivePakistan Boycott Will Hurt Its Own Cricket, Says Former Cricketer Madan LalFormer NITI Aayog CEO Hails Budget 2026 Amid Global Economic Uncertainty”Reform Express Moving At Speed Under PM Modi” Piyush Goyal On Budget 2026123Photostories8 unique residential buildings on Earth; where creativity meets lifePune–Mumbai high-speed rail: The mega project that could cut travel time by an hourRohit Shetty in Mumbai firing scare: Gunshots break midnight silence in JuhuHow to make Beetroot, Sweet Potato & Walnut Kebab at homeCelebrities who earned the EGOT status: Steven Spielberg, Elton John, Audrey Hepburn, and more7 Japanese philosophies that can quietly change your life10 iconic Delhi food spots that hit different in winterBaby boy names for those born on MondayGrammys 2026: Best dressed stars at the red carpet; from Addison Rae to Tyla7 vastu tips for balcony to bring in good luck123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesCigarette Prices HikeFebruary 2026 bank changesIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingOKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets InjuryMLB Trade RumorsDrake MayeDeshaun WatsonNHL Trade UpdateSnowboarder RyanMLB TradeRyan ClarkTua TagovailoaJustin Herbert
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.
