The Royal Institute of Performing Arts (RIPA) is Bhutan's premier institution dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing the country's traditional performing arts through professional education and training. Established in 2025 under the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development (DCDD), Ministry of Home Affairs, RIPA builds on the legacy of the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA), which was founded in 1954 by the Third Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The institute carries forward RAPA's longstanding mission of safeguarding Bhutan's rich traditions of mask dances (Cham), folk songs such as Zhungdra and Boedra, traditional music, and indigenous musical instruments.
RIPA offers National Certificate and Diploma in Performing Arts programmes that combine practical training in traditional dance, music, and performance with cultural theory and heritage studies. Its primary objectives are to preserve Bhutan's intangible cultural heritage, develop skilled performers and cultural practitioners, strengthen research and documentation, and create sustainable career opportunities for young artists. As Bhutan's leading institution for traditional performing arts, RIPA aspires to become a centre of excellence by integrating heritage preservation with professional education, cultural innovation, and international cultural exchange.