The Kuala Lumpur Craft Museum first opened its doors to locals and tourists alike on August, 1996. The museum was formed based upon the country’s educational policies, mainly for the public to:

1. Recognise the origins of their culture
2. Be aware of their own culture
3. Educate themselves on local cultures

In the beginning, the objective for the Kuala Lumpur Craft Museum materialised from the inception of the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation on 1 October, 1979, under Act 222 (the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation Act). There was a swift realisation to give an opportunity for the existing art craft to be further developed by transforming the concept of village industry to commercial industry. The corporation is responsible for:

1. Conserving and protecting the country’s craft heritage
2. Developing, strengthening and elevating the craft industry towards a developed industry, one that is capable of competing in both local and international markets