The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), based in Dharamsala, India, was the first of several institutions established in exile by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, following the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959. The primary mission of TIPA is to preserve the cultural identity of Tibetans by keeping alive our artistic traditions and by sharing them with the world.

Tibetan children between 11 -17 years of age who are interested in the performing arts are recruited and trained at TIPA School.  In addition to lessons on fundamentals of Tibetan music and dance, they are also provided with opportunity to pursue the regular academic curriculum, as laid down by Indian Government.  Many of the students below are new refugees from Tibet whose parents sent them into exile to get an education.