India’s largest private art museum, the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in New Delhi, has announced the appointment of Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, as its new Chief Executive Officer and Director. Rabaté will assume his responsibilities in early spring 2026, and until then will continue in his current role leading Louvre Abu Dhabi.
With over 25 years of experience in the global museum sector, Rabaté has served as the inaugural Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi since 2016, helping shape it into a major international cultural destination with an ambitious exhibition programme and strong focus on education. Under his leadership, the institution has welcomed more than six million visitors and gained recognition as the Arab world’s first universal museum.
His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for KNMA, which is developing a new landmark campus of more than one million square feet along National Highway 8 in Delhi, envisioned as the largest integrated museum and cultural centre in South Asia. The expanded museum will significantly increase capacity for exhibitions, commissions, performances, and public programmes across visual and performing arts.
Kiran Nadar, Founder and Chairperson of KNMA, described Rabaté as one of the international art world’s most experienced and respected leaders, highlighting his decade-long record at Louvre Abu Dhabi and expressing confidence in his ability to guide KNMA’s next phase of growth and global positioning. She noted that his leadership will be central as KNMA prepares to inaugurate its new campus and consolidate its role as a major cultural institution in the region.
Rabaté called the move both an honour and an exciting opportunity, stating that KNMA is shaping the story of Indian and South Asian art while defining what a 21st-century museum can be—one that supports artists, inspires learners, and engages communities through innovative exhibitions and education programmes. He added that he looks forward to working with the museum’s team to build a platform that connects creativity, culture, and curiosity, and to empower the next generation of cultural leaders across India and beyond
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
