Weaving is an integral component of the culture and tradition of Bhutan. With the aim to preserve and promote this living art, the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan was instituted in May 2005 under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck as a non-government, non-profit organization.

The RTA was registered as a Civil Society Organization in line with the Civil Society Organization’s Act of Bhutan 2007 on June 13, 2011.

The RTA is managed by a Board of Trustees under the leadership of Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck as the Chairperson. The other Board Members include Dr. Frederik Paulsen, Chairman, Ferring Pharmaceuticals; Dasho Karma W. Penjor, Secretary of Ministry of Information and Communications, Royal Government of Bhutan; Dasho Sonam Tobgay, Secretary of Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan; and Mrs. Krista Amason, President, Friends of the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan, Washington DC. The Executive Director of the RTA serves as the ex-officio member secretary to the Board.

The Mission of the RTA is dedicated to preserve, promote and educate about Bhutanese Textiles. It aims to create awareness and encourage international collaboration to promote mutually beneficial exhibits and educational programs.

The Objectives of the Royal Textile Academy are to:

Provide a National Centre for professional training in weaving, design and production of Bhutanese textiles;
Develop scholarship programs for staff training and internships in conservation and museum studies;
Collect and document important textiles that are part of Bhutan’s textile heritage;
Develop exhibitions for local and international venues;
Develop a conservation centre devoted to preservation and restoration of Bhutanese Textiles;
Administer ongoing cultural and educational programs, workshops, study groups and lectures on Bhutanese textile arts.

Source: www.rtabhutan.org