Manuel Rabate to Lead KNMA as CEO, Director
Louvre Abu Dhabi chief to steer Kiran Nadar Museum’s next growth phase from Spring 2026
- Manuel Rabate appointed CEO and Director of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art
- Rabate currently serves as Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Appointment comes ahead of KNMA’s mega one-million-sq-ft new campus
- New museum set to be South Asia’s largest cultural centre
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd Feb: Manuel Rabate, the current Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA). He will take charge in Spring 2026, guiding the museum through its next phase of expansion and global engagement.
The appointment comes at a crucial moment for KNMA, which is preparing to inaugurate a vastly expanded campus in New Delhi. Spread across more than one million square feet along National Highway 8, the new KNMA complex is envisioned as the largest museum and integrated cultural centre in South Asia, dedicated to visual arts, performing arts, exhibitions, public programmes and education.
Kiran Nadar, Founder and Chairperson of KNMA, described Rabate as one of the most respected leaders in the international art world. She said his experience and vision would help the museum achieve its highest aspirations as it transitions into a landmark cultural institution of global scale.
Rabate brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the global museum sector. He has been associated with Louvre Abu Dhabi since its inception and became its first director in 2016, playing a key role in establishing it as a world-renowned cultural destination. Earlier, he served as Chief Executive Officer, Secretary General and Chief Financial Officer at Agence France-Museums, and has also held senior positions at the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac.
An academic as well as a museum professional, Rabate has taught arts and cultural management at Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Paris-Dauphine University, and has been honoured with France’s National Order of Merit and the Order of Arts and Letters.
Calling his appointment an honour and an exciting opportunity, Rabate said KNMA is redefining what a 21st-century museum can be by championing artists, inspiring learners and engaging communities. He expressed confidence that, together with the museum’s team, he would help build a global platform connecting creativity, culture and education from India to the world.
