Friends of the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan

The Friends of the Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan (FRTAB) was founded in the United States in 2006 as a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code. FRTAB was formed by a group of recognized leaders committed to the preservation of Textile Arts as part of Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage. FRTAB was established to support the goals and objectives of the Royal Textile Academy in Bhutan.

The Royal Textile Academy (RTA) was founded as a National Trust in 2005. It is governed by a Board of Trustees under the leadership of Chairman, Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck. The mission of the Academy is to preserve and promote Bhutanese textiles and to educate the local and international community about this living art.

In partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan, a five acre site located in the center of Thimphu has been dedicated for the headquarters for the RTA. Reflecting the fable of the Four Friends, the four components of the Royal Textile Academy will be a Museum, a School, a Conservation Center and Community Space.

The Royal Textile Academy's objectives are to:

·         Provide a national center for professional training in weaving, design and production of this living art.

·         Collect and document important textiles that are part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage

·         Develop exhibitions for local and international venues

·         Develop a conservation center devoted to the preservation and restoration of all of Bhutan’s textile arts

·         Provide opportunity through training and education for women weavers to strengthen sustainable economic opportunities to support their arts and traditions.

A festival in Bhutan