Tibet House US is dedicated to preserving Tibet's unique culture at a time when it is confronted with extinction on its own soil. By presenting Tibetan civilization and its profound wisdom, beauty, and special art of freedom to the people of the world, we hope to inspire others to join the effort to protect and save it.

Tibet House US is part of a worldwide network of Tibetan institutions committed to ensuring that the light of the Tibetan spirit never disappears from the face of this earth.

Tibet House was founded at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who at the inauguration in 1987 stated his wish for a long-term cultural institution to ensure the survival of Tibetan civilization and culture, whatever the political destiny of the six million people of Tibet itself.

In 1991, Tibet House initiated The International Year of Tibet as a worldwide celebration of Tibetan culture, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Religion and Culture of the Tibetan Government in Exile in Dharamsala, India. This soon became a cascading international movement celebrated in over 36 countries with more than 7,000 different events and activities. Many other major efforts and accomplishments have followed: events, publications, exhibitions and conferences.