According high importance to the preservation and promotion of textiles as an integral part of Bhutanese Culture, the Royal Government of Bhutan has leased 4.75 acres of prime land in the heart of the capital city, Thimphu, towards the construction of the RTA premises. 

The project is divided into four phases, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4. Phase 1 shall include the Textile Museum, covered plaza, entrances and the courtyard and the total cost of this phase is estimated at USD 2.9 million. Phase 2 consists of the Textile School and the Textile Conservation Centre. Phase 3  is the construction of the Administrative Blocks. Phase 2 is estimated at USD 0.87 million and Phase 3 at USD 3 million. Phase 4 is a banquet hall which will seat over a thousand people. With the population of Thimphu soaring over the years and the booming entertainment industry, there is a great need for a hall of this size. This would also be one of our core means of generating income for the sustenance of the Academy. Phase 4 is estimated at around USD 6 million. The Overall cost of the construction will therefore cross over USD 12 million.

So far the Academy has raised enough funds to finance Phase 1. The construction is scheduled to start by mid September this year.  The second phase is funded through Government of India grant. The academy also received USD 3 million for Phase 3 from Dr. Frederik Paulsen of Ferring Pharmaceuticals recently during Her Majesty's visit to Germany. The Academy shall continue to raise more funds and will also consider, if need be, to take soft loans from financial institutions. The Academy seeks the generous support of donors and friends of Bhutan to help us towards this endeavor of preserving and promoting this unique textile art for our future - future not only of Bhutan but of the entire world.

The Royal Textile Academy is a project very close to Her Majesty and all of us working at the Academy. It’s a project that will help a nation preserve its priceless culture in vogue of the changing times and challenges with increased influx of machine made fabrics. We also hope to create a landmark cultural space in addition to promoting and preserving this unique art of weaving. Generous support from friends and donors would go a long way in preserving this unique heritage and in realizing our dreams.