Souraya Noujaim has been named director of Louvre Abu Dhabi. The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi confirmed the appointment on Friday, 9 October 2026, as the museum looks ahead to its 10th anniversary in 2027.
Noujaim returns after five years overseeing the museum’s curatorial and collections work, taking over from Manuel Rabéte, who had led the institution since 2016 and oversaw its opening the following year. Manuel Rabéte’s departure was announced in February, ending a tenure that began when the museum first opened its doors in November 2017. His leadership saw the launch of the museum’s inaugural exhibitions and the establishment of its reputation as a cultural landmark.
Noujaim is an art historian and curator specialising in Islamic art history and archaeology. She most recently served as director of the Department of Islamic Arts at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Her relationship with Louvre Abu Dhabi stretches back to before the museum opened on Saadiyat Island in November 2017. She helped develop its intellectual and curatorial vision and returned in February 2018 as the museum’s first scientific, curatorial and collections management director, a role she held until April 2023. During that period she oversaw curatorial, scientific and collections activities, helped grow the museum’s holdings through acquisitions and was involved in establishing initiatives such as Art Here, the annual exhibition and prize for contemporary artists.
As director, Noujaim will oversee the museum’s collection, exhibitions, research, conservation, education, public programmes, visitor experience and broader institutional strategy. She said she plans to build on the museum’s legacy, deepen its engagement with audiences and continue expanding its collection.
“Louvre Abu Dhabi holds a special place in my professional and personal journey. Having had the privilege of contributing to the museum’s development over many years, I am honoured to return to Abu Dhabi and lead this remarkable institution into its next chapter.” — Souraya Noujaim, Director
“As the first universal museum in the Arab world, Louvre Abu Dhabi is a powerful reflection of our belief in culture as a bridge between people, ideas and societies. Since 2017, it has contributed greatly to the emirate’s status as a global cultural capital.” — Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi
Since its opening in November 2017, the Jean Nouvel‑designed Louvre Abu Dhabi has welcomed more than eight million visitors and staged 22 temporary exhibitions, reinforcing its position as a major cultural destination in the region.
Source: The National
