Presenter’s Grants

PLEASE NOTE: The Jim Henson Foundation Grant application process will now be completed through Submittable. The required application materials remain the same as those listed below. Email ariel@hensonfoundation.org with any questions.

2026 Granting Cycle Calendar – Presenter’s Grants for shows in Summer/Fall 2026

March 25, 2026	Deadline to receive an invitation to apply for a Presenter’s Grant for shows in summer/fall 2026
April 15, 2026	Deadline to submit Presenter’s Grant Applications for shows in summer/fall 2026

Presenter’s Grants – invitation only

The Jim Henson Foundation Presenter’s Grants were created in 2004 to continue the work started by the Henson International Festivals of Puppet Theater in the 1990s. These grants were established to promote the presentation of excellence in contemporary puppet theater in New York City. Presenter’s Grants are only available to theaters in New York City that have a history of presenting puppet theater. They are by invitation only. There are two levels of funding for Presenter’s Grants: $5,000 and $10,000.

The Foundation does not fund puppet slams. Please visit the Puppet Slam Network to learn more about puppet slams around the United States, and targeted funding for them from IBEX Puppetry and Heather Henson. We do not fund shows retroactively.

NOTE:  It is important that the majority of this grant be used towards performance fees and services that directly benefit the artists.

$5,000 – The presenting of one piece of puppet theater in a high-profile theater. This piece needs to be either a Production Grant recipient of The Jim Henson Foundation, an international piece of puppet theater for adults, or a work that is of exceptionally high caliber for adults. We fund excellence in new contemporary puppet theater. The work needs to be fully supported by the theater in a proper run of a minimum of four performances, more if possible.  The Foundation prefers to fund presentations lasting multiple weekends which have the potential to attract attention from the press.

$10,000 – The presenting of three or more works of contemporary puppet theater within a season or a festival. This must be a minimum of three different puppet artists (or companies) performing three different pieces of puppet theater. The pieces need to be either Production Grant recipients of The Jim Henson Foundation, international pieces of puppet theater, or works that are of exceptionally high caliber. We fund excellence in innovative puppet theater. Each work needs to have a minimum of two performances. We encourage a longer run of at least 4 performances, and more if possible.  The Foundation prefers to fund presentations lasting multiple weekends which have the potential to attract attention from the press.

$5,000 – The presenting of three or more works of puppet theater for family audiences or the presentation of three or more works-in-progress of adult work. This must be a minimum of three different puppet artists (or companies) performing three different pieces of puppet theater. The pieces need to be either Family Grant  or Workshop Grant recipients of The Jim Henson Foundation, international pieces of puppet theater, or works that are of exceptionally high caliber. We fund excellence in new contemporary puppet theater. The Foundation prefers to fund presentations lasting multiple weekends which have the potential to attract attention from the press.

If your theater is invited to apply for a $5,000 or $10,000 Presenter’s Grant please submit:

• A letter detailing the puppet theater programming you are planning
• A budget outlining how this funding will be used to help support this programming
• Dates and times of when events will take place
• A description of how your venue has supported new contemporary works of puppet theater in the past
• 2-3 pages of visuals that support your application
• Up to 4 minutes of video for each puppet theater piece (if possible) with your application. 

Questions? If you have a question about our guidelines, you may be able to find the answer on our list of Frequently Asked Questions. You can also reach us at 212.439.7504 or info@hensonfoundation.org. It is best to contact us with any questions well in advance of the application deadlines.