Deadline: 6-Mar-23
The Jim Henson Foundation is seeking applications for its Artist Grants.
Types of Grant
- Production Grants of $7,000 are awarded for the production of new works ready to be presented in the coming year.
- Workshop Grants of $3,000 are for the development and workshopping of these pieces. Workshop Grants and Production Grants can be combined over a two year period for the greatest benefit to the piece; keep in mind, however, that a Production Grant does not need to be preceded by a Workshop grant and a Workshop Grant in no way ensures a future Production Grant. Less than half of Workshop Grant recipients receive Production Grants.
- Family Grants of $4,000 fund the development of new and innovative work specifically for children, families, and teenagers.
Eligibility Criteria
- Grants are made only for the development of new works of excellent live puppet theater. The Foundation does not award funds for the presentation or remounting of existing work. Grants cannot be applied retroactively; substantial portions of a proposed project must take place after the funds are awarded.
- They would like to emphasize that live puppet performance needs to be integral to the proposed project. While they will consider productions that utilize other media and genres, a major portion of the piece must feature puppetry that is well-executed in both design and performance. The mission of the Foundation is to fund excellence in PUPPET theater. Their funding decisions are based on the quality of the puppetry.
- Please note that the Foundation will prioritize work that can continue beyond a premiere. They look for shows that will live on through multiple performances with the potential to tour both nationally and internationally.
- Awards can be made only to IRS tax-exempt organizations. They welcome applications from individual artists, but those without 501(c)(3) non-profit status must apply through a fiscal sponsor with this non-profit status. Applications for international collaborations are accepted, but the primary artist must be a US citizen. The project needs to be presented in the United States and ideally developed and workshopped in the United States as well. Projects that will only take place outside of the United States are not eligible for funding.
Ineligible
The Foundation does not fund:
- publications
- parades
- pageants
- exhibitions
- spectacle
- festivals
- film or television projects
- projects for school credit
- workshops
- education or outreach activities
- purely digital performance
- muppet-style puppetry
- traditional puppetry
- puppetry performed by students
- works in which the majority of the building, rehearsal or performance takes place outside of the United States
For more information, visit The Jim Henson Foundation.