On July 21, 1976 the SUPPORT Foundation of HM Queen Sirikit was officially established to promote local arts and crafts which would assist in supplementing income for the underprivileged families. On regular regional visits, Her Majesty would meet with villagers to informally chat and listen to their opinions and problems, while inspecting their latest handiworks and meet with new talents, who would later be sent to train in Bangkok. With encouragement, the villagers were excited and willing to cultivate higher skills in handling more intricate designs, from weaving to Yan Lipao Basketry and complicated wooden carvings.
In 1979, the SUPPORT Training Center was founded at Chitralada Villa. Local artisans from rural villages were selected to receive training from master craftsmen who are experts in various fields of arts and crafts. After finishing their training, these artisans were sent home to impart their knowledge to their own communities.
Before the Arts of the Kingdom became a permanent exhibition in 2008, it had been arranged as a special exhibition on significant occasions, such as the celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen's fifth cycle, or 60th birthday anniversary in 1992, the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne in 2006 and His Majesty the King's 80th birthday in December 2007.