Kusen Alipah Hadi is an anthropologist who is also active as a manager of art events and is often an actor in theatrical performances. In 2006, Kusen founded the Umar Kayam Foundation to provide space for arts and culture studies, and has served as the foundation’s director to this day.

Kusen is a member of the supervisory board of the Yogyakarta Biennale Foundation, which organizes the Biennale Jogja every two years. He is one of the initiators of the Pasa Harau Festival in Nagari Harau, West Sumatra, which was first held in 2016.

Kusen is one of the founders of Koalisi Seni Indonesia, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board.