The Rwanda Art Museum, established in 2009, stands four kilometres east of Kigali Airport within the Nyarugunga sector. This building, originally constructed as a villa for President Juvénal Habyarimana in the 1970s, became a symbol of power until his assassination in 1994, an event that sparked the genocide.

Since its transformation into a museum in February 2009 and its official renaming on May 18, 2018, it has served as a significant cultural hub. It exhibits contemporary works by both Rwandan and international artists, housing Rwanda's largest collection of post-genocide art. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent displays.

The museum’s operations were initially managed by the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR), founded in 1989. In August 2020, INMR merged with other cultural institutions to form the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy.