Mitchell S. Crites, an American art historian, has lived, researched and worked in India and across the Islamic world for more than forty-five years.  His primary focus has been the revival of traditional South Asian and Islamic arts and crafts.   Over the years, he has coordinated a number of prestigious art and architectural projects including the palatial mansions of Sir James Goldsmith in Mexico and Shri Lakshmi Mittal in London as well as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and the restoration of the historic Jal Mahal Water Palace in Jaipur.   These projects have given work to more than eight thousand master artists, carvers, inlay artisans and calligraphers.

Crites writes and lectures regularly on the revival of traditional arts and crafts. He also serves as senior cultural advisor to the Turquoise Mountain Institute in Kabul for the revival of traditional Afghan arts and crafts.