The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art and the Bhutan Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, have launched a partnership to promote cultural preservation and education in Bhutan, working closely with the Wangduechhoeling Palace, the birthplace of Bhutan’s monarchy.
After a decade-long restoration project led by the Bhutan Foundation, the Wangduechhoeling Palace is preparing to open as a museum and cultural center, focused on Bhutan’s history, culture, religion, and craftsmanship. The opening of this dynamic institution follows an October 2024 ceremonial consecration graced by Her Majesty Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, the Queen of Bhutan. Located in the Bumthang district in central Bhutan, the Palace will serve as an example of adaptive reuse of a heritage site in Bhutan featuring research and education, exhibitions, and outreach.
Photo courtesy of the Bhutan Foundation
Photo courtesy of the Bhutan Foundation
As part of the partnership, the Rubin will support expertise in the areas of curatorial practice, audience engagement, collections management, and exhibition installation, collaborating with Palace staff and museum professionals in the wider region. The Rubin Museum will also co-create in-person workshops and ideation sessions in Bhutan, bringing together participants from Bhutan and the Rubin for mutual learning and professional exchange.
Photo courtesy of the Wangduechhoeling Palace
“We are excited to collaborate with the Rubin Museum and deeply value this opportunity. As Bhutan’s newest museum and cultural center, we look forward to exploring strategic avenues for collaboration and capacity-building, with the aim of enriching our programming and investing in professional development by learning from the Rubin’s wealth of experience and expertise,” said Kuenga Lhendup, executive director of the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Center.
The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art’s programs are made possible by generous donations from the Museum’s Board of Trustees, individual donors, foundations, corporations, and Friends of the Rubin.
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