Jim Henson Foundation


The Jim Henson Foundation was founded by puppeteer and Muppet creator Jim Henson to promote and develop puppetry in the United States. Jim Henson's daughter Cheryl Henson currently serves as the president for the Foundation.
It is the only grantmaking institution with the mission of supporting puppetry. The Jim Henson Foundation has bestowed 675 grants to date. Past grant recipients include MacArthur Fellow Julie Taymor, director of the Broadway musical The Lion King; Ralph Lee, whose production A Popol Vuh Story was also presented at the 1994 Henson Festival and went on to tour New York City public schools; MacArthur Fellow Lee Breuer's company Mabou Mines, whose production Peter & Wendy was featured at the 1996 Spoleto Festival and the 1996 Henson Festival, followed by a month-long run at New York's New Victory Theater; and Basil Twist, whose production Symphonie Fantastique had an acclaimed year-long run in New York.