Suteja Neka began collecting paintings of high quality due to his close friendship with Dutch artists Rudolf Bonnet (1895 - 1978) and Arie Smith (born 1916). In 1975 Neka and Bonnet traveled to Europe to view museums and galleries. Neka's aim to establish a fine arts museum in Bali was reinforced by this journey. After years of planning, the Neka Art Museum officially was opened by then Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture, Dr Daoed Joesoef, on the 7th of July in 1982.

In 1992 the province of Bali presented Suteja Neka with the Dharma Kusuma art award and gold medal on behalf of his devotion and efforts to raise the quality of and preserve Balinese art culture. In 1993 Neka was awarded the Piagam Hadiah Seni art award, the highest distinction in the arts from the Republic of Indonesia. It was presented by the Minister of Education and Culture in recognition of Neka's devotion to the development of traditional and contemporary art in Indonesia. In addition, the award was presented in appreciation of his dedication in founding a high quality private museum. In 1997, the President of Indonesia awarded Neka with the Adikarya Pariwisata tourism trophy. The Pacific - Asia Travel Association ( PATA ) Indonesia Chapter presented him with the Heritage Award in the same year.