The Bhutan Foundation, in collaboration with the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Centre, and the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, supported a series of workshops in Paro and Bumthang to strengthen museum practices, professional capacity, and cultural heritage preservation in Bhutan.
The workshops brought together museum and cultural heritage professionals from across Bhutan and experts from the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, New York, for peer-to-peer learning, practical training, and knowledge exchange.
The program began with a national cultural sector roundtable at the National Museum, Ta Dzong, in Paro, providing a platform for professionals to exchange experiences, discuss institutional challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
Led by Michelle Bennett Simorella and Dr. Elena Pakhoutova from the Rubin Museum, the sessions covered collections management, curatorial and exhibition development, exhibition logistics, and disaster preparedness through interactive discussions and practical exercises.
The exchange continued at the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Centre in Bumthang, where a three-day workshop provided hands-on learning opportunities focused on collections stewardship, curatorial practices, exhibition planning, audience engagement, and institutional standards.
Beyond technical training, the workshops fostered meaningful connections between Bhutanese and international museum professionals, encouraging the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices to strengthen Bhutan’s cultural institutions.
The initiative builds on the Bhutan Foundation’s longstanding partnership with Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and its broader commitment to safeguarding Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage through institutional capacity building and international collaboration.
By investing in people, partnerships, and professional expertise, the Bhutan Foundation continues to support efforts to preserve Bhutan’s cultural heritage while strengthening the institutions entrusted with sharing it with future generations.
