A Building Tradition: The Work of the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts

November 5, 2005 - January 8, 2006

“Through this School, I have tried to do what I can to continue the living traditions of the world’s sacred and traditional art forms, including Islamic art; I now invite you to join me in this important enterprise.”—His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

Founded on the values of tradition and built on a core education program known as “The Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts,” The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts offers grounding in the philosophy and practical craft skills of the arts and architecture of Islam, as well as the traditional arts of other civilizations. One of the principal aims of the school is to encourage appreciation of the universal values that are fundamental to the arts of the great traditions of the world. Graduate courses combine theory and practice and include classes in geometry, Islamic architecture, icon painting, tilemaking, Islimi/Arabesque, stained glass, and mosaic craft. The school has also developed outreach programs for Muslim communities and younger people in particular — both in the United Kingdom and in Muslim countries — establishing vocational courses to teach craft and building links with universities and other institutions, especially in the Arab and Asian worlds.

The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts is just one way His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is contributing to the dialogue and practice of the built environment. In addition to the school, the Prince’s works, speeches, publications, and other charitable foundations have elevated public awareness of architecture and how it affects the quality of people’s lives. Because of his efforts, the National Building Museum presented His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales with its Vincent Scully Prize. On November 3, 2005, Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited the Museum to accept the Prize, and the Museum now presents this exhibition of artwork by the students, alumni, and staff of The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts.

Sponsors

A Building Tradition: The Work of The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts is sponsored by Goldman, Sachs & Co. and DHL Freight and Contract Logistics (UK) Limited.

Sponsors & Partners