Moving the Museum

Sixteen years after founding India's first private museum, Kiran Nadar is helping build a landmark cultural centre in New Delhi, as part of her mission to democratise art.

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It was in the 1990s that Kiran Nadar began collecting art in earnest. In subsequent years, her curiosity and passion for the subject deepened considerably. As a result, her art collection continued to grow.

"Looking back, what I find remarkable is how organic the entire process has been," says Nadar, founder and chairperson of the eponymous Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), Delhi.

The KNMA evolved from the desire to bring greater visibility to Nadar's private art collection. "The more I collected, the more I felt the need to share," she says.

In the 16 years since its inception, KNMA (India’s first private museum) has become one of the most important cultural institutions in the country, serving as a platform for exhibitions and residencies, publications, and global collaborations.

Another fundamental pillar of the museum’s purpose is its robust educational programme, driven by Nadar's desire to democratise art.

“Art isn’t just for a few; it belongs to everyone. Making it accessible through exhibitions, outreach, and programmes for students and communities allows more people to experience its power to inspire, educate, and connect. For me, this isn’t just a mission, it’s a responsibility,” she shares.