Rasna Shrestha is an arts and cultural professional whose work has been shaped by a deep appreciation for creativity, community, and the transformative role of art in society. Currently serving as Program Manager at the Museum of Nepali Art (MoNA), she brings together her academic background in Finance and Control with years of experience in arts management, cultural programming, exhibition development, and audience engagement.

Although trained in business and finance, Rasna’s passion for the arts led her toward Nepal’s cultural sector, where she has steadily built a career dedicated to supporting artists, creating meaningful cultural experiences, and strengthening connections between art and audiences. Alongside her professional work, she is also a practicing artist who enjoys painting and has participated in various group exhibitions.

Her journey began with overseeing Kathmandu Art House and MoNA and later advanced to the role of Manager of Kathmandu Art House, overseeing gallery administration, exhibition planning, artist selection, and artwork sales. These experiences provided her with a comprehensive understanding of both the creative and organizational aspects of the art world.

As a curator and cultural programmer, Rasna has curated and co-curated numerous exhibitions and initiatives that celebrate artistic expression while creating opportunities for dialogue and learning. Among her notable projects are Creative Chronicles, an exhibition that brought together diverse artistic voices through engaging narratives and contemporary perspectives, and the innovative Artist Under 30 Pop-Up Exhibition, a platform dedicated to showcasing and encouraging emerging young artists. The latter demonstrated her commitment to creating fresh and accessible opportunities for the next generation of creative practitioners while reimagining how exhibitions can engage new audiences.

Her curatorial work also includes exhibitions featuring emerging artists as well as major presentations at MoNA, including projects with Kiran Manandhar and other notable practitioners. She served as Co-Curator of Kathmandu Art Biennale – Spiritual Edition 2024 and continues this role as Co-Curator of Kathmandu Art Biennale – Bhavana 2026.

Her work is guided by a commitment to nurturing artistic talent, developing meaningful public programs, and creating exhibitions that foster genuine engagement with art. Through her contributions to MoNA, Kathmandu Art House, and Kathmandu Guest House, she continues to play an active role in strengthening Nepal’s contemporary art ecosystem, helping create spaces where artists, ideas, and communities can come together and thrive.