Alia Swastika was born in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 1980. She graduated from the Communication Department Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. She has worked as associate editor for SURAT newsletter, a magazine for visual art published by Cemeti Art Foundation and with a grant from Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF), she joined staff exchange programme in UfaFabrik, Berlin, Germany. In 2006, she participated in the same program funded by Kelola Foundation and Asian Cultural Council to observe and learn about contemporary art practice in USA. She is actively involved in international curatorial projects as an arts manager.