Shri Vinay Kumar is an artist, editor, and cultural activist, currently serving as the Secretary of the Bodhgaya Biennale and Honorary Editor of Canvas. He is also the founder of Canvas, a trust dedicated to the promotion of visual arts. He has previously held several significant positions, including Deputy Secretary of the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, and Regional Director of ICCR, Bihar. He has also served as a Member of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, and the Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi. In addition, he is the editor of Lalitya, the official bulletin of the Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi. Shri Kumar has been actively engaged in art activism since 1988, curating numerous exhibitions in Patna and Delhi. He is a founder member of the Nand Lal Bose Nukkad Art Gallery, Patna. A prolific writer, he has been contributing writings on art and culture to Janshakti, India Today, Outlook, The Times of India, and Navbharat Times since 1988. He has authored three books on contemporary and folk arts, further cementing his role as a leading voice in India’s art and cultural landscape.He serves as a Member of the Board of Governors of IIM Calcutta and as a Board Member of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture, New Delhi. In recognition of his pioneering contributions to social housing, he was conferred the Padma Shri in 1999. Shri Neotia has also been honoured with the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Legacy of Honor Award. He serves as the Honorary Consul of Israel in West Bengal, reflecting his strong international engagement. A passionate advocate for India’s cultural heritage, he remains deeply committed to promoting and preserving the country’s rich artistic and cultural legacy.