The National Institute for Zorig Chusum stands at the centre of Bhutan’s efforts to safeguard its artistic heritage. Established in 1971 under royal command, the institute remains the country’s premier training centre for the zorig chusum — the thirteen traditional arts and crafts that define Bhutan’s cultural identity. From thangka painting to bronze casting and from woodcarving to embroidery, NIZC ensures these ancient skills continue to thrive in a modern era. Today, the institute operates across two campuses: the main headquarters in Thimphu and a second branch in Trashi Yangtse in eastern Bhutan. Together, they form a nationwide ecosystem of cultural preservation, artisan training and heritage continuity.
What Is Zorig Chusum?
The term zorig chusum translates to “the thirteen crafts”. These include:
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Thangka painting
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Clay sculpture
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Woodcarving
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Calligraphy
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Traditional papermaking
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Bronze casting
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Gold and silversmithing
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Embroidery
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Weaving
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Carpentry
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Masonry
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Bamboo and cane work
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Blacksmithing
Each discipline carries centuries of symbolism, technique and spiritual meaning. Students learn both artistic skill and the sacred principles that govern proportions, motifs and colour palettes — the very foundations of Bhutanese temples, monasteries and ritual objects.
Main Campus: Thimphu – The Cultural Heartbeat
Situated in Kawajangsa, the Thimphu campus is the most visited branch of the National Institute of Zorig Chusum. Often called the “Painting School”, it offers visitors an intimate glimpse into Bhutan’s artistic world.
What You’ll Experience in Thimphu
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Students sketching intricate Buddhist iconography
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Woodcarvers chiselling traditional motifs into sandalwood
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Artists mixing natural pigments for mandalas and thangkas
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Sculptors moulding clay deities using age-old techniques
The environment is contemplative and deeply authentic — a working institute where heritage is practised with devotion, not displayed behind glass.
Training and Courses
Students undergo four- to six-year programmes focused on discipline, practice and artistic mastery. Many graduates become temple painters, sculptors or craftsmen involved in national restoration works, helping preserve Bhutan’s architectural and spiritual landscape.
Eastern Campus: Trashi Yangtse – Empowering Rural Artisans
The Trashi Yangtse campus was established to extend arts education to eastern Bhutan, ensuring rural youth have equal access to cultural and vocational training.
What Makes This Campus Distinct
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Strong focus on hands-on craftsmanship
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Training designed to support local economies and rural livelihoods
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Emphasis on community-based projects and traditional home-building
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A closer connection to village life and daily cultural practice
Travellers often combine a visit to the institute with Chorten Kora, making it an enriching cultural stop in eastern Bhutan.
Choki Traditional Art School – A Non-Profit Guardian of Bhutanese Arts
Alongside the two government-operated NIZC campuses, Bhutan is also home to another important institution: Choki Traditional Art School (CTAS), a non-profit private school dedicated to preserving Bhutan’s traditional arts through education and social impact.
Founded by the Former Head of Painting Department
CTAS was founded by Dasho Choki Dorji, the former Head of the Painting Department at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum. Guided by his belief that no young Bhutanese should be denied the chance to learn traditional arts because of financial limitations, Dasho Choki Dorji established CTAS as a sanctuary for deserving youth — a place where passion meets opportunity.
A National Commitment to Cultural Heritage
Across its two campuses — and supported by independent institutes like CTAS — NIZC plays a leading role in:
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Training Bhutan’s next generation of artists and craftsmen
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Supporting temple construction and restoration projects
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Maintaining authenticity in Bhutanese arts and architecture
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Ensuring traditional knowledge is preserved for future generations
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Celebrating Zorig Day, a nationwide showcase of traditional crafts
Together, these institutions form Bhutan’s artistic backbone, carrying forward techniques refined over centuries.
Visiting the Institutes
A visit to any of these schools feels like stepping into a living cultural workshop. In Thimphu, the institute sits among other cultural landmarks, making it an ideal stop on a wider heritage tour. In Trashi Yangtse, the experience is more intimate and rural.
Every visit contributes to Bhutan’s preservation efforts, ensuring its unique artistic traditions continue to flourish.
