Allelu Award

Allelu Award – invitation only

The Jim Henson Foundation established the Allelu Award in 2016 to honor our dear friend and longtime Henson Foundation board member Allelu Kurten. (April 16, 1930-May 21, 2016)

Allelu Kurten believed in the power of puppetry to bring people together. She loved attending international puppet festivals and traveled the world over to see great shows. As the general secretary of UNIMA-USA (1978-1992), Allelu was a great advocate for American puppeteers in the international community. 

The Allelu Award is a two part grant for international travel to perform in a puppet festival.  The first part is for a Jim Henson Foundation grant recipient to travel to a puppet festival of international renown to show their work.  Priority is given to shows that have received a Jim Henson Foundation Production Grant.  The second part is for an international company to perform at a major American puppet festival.  Each grant is $5,000.

When Cheryl Henson was visiting with Allelu in May 2016, they discussed the idea of creating travel grants to help artists be able to perform at major festivals. Allelu liked the idea and the Allelu Award was born.

Past Awards: 2017 - Present
	2024 Silent Tide / Sarah Wright (UK) The Adventures of Curious Ganz HERE Arts Center, Puppetopia - New York, NY USA February 26-March 2, 2024
	2024 Phil Soltanoff & Steven Wendt This & That MimeLondon 2024 - London, UK February 13-17, 2024
	2023 Janni Younge (South Africa) Hamlet Chicago International Festival of Puppet Theater - Chicago, IL USA January 26-28, 2023
	2023 Andy Manjuck & Dorothy James Bill's 44th London Mime Festival, London, UK January 31-February 4, 2023
	2022 Théâtre de l’Entrouvert (France) Anywhere HERE Arts Center, Puppetopia - New York, NY USA May 11-15, 2022
	2022 Sandglass Theater When I Put On Your Glove Festival of Wonder, Silkeborg , Denmark November 10-13, 2022
	2022 Margarita Blush Unfolding Pesta Boneka Festival - Indonesia October 2022
	2021 Sinking Ship Productions A Hunger Artist Festival Mondial des Theatres de Marionnettes, Charleville-Mezieres, France September 2021
	2021 Virtual Presentation of International Artists International Puppet Fringe NYC - New York, NY USA August 2021
	2020 Nick Lehane Chimpanzee London Mime Festival, London, UK January 2020
	2019 Basil Twist Dogugaeshi Festival Mondial des Theatres de Marionnettes, Charleville-Mezieres, France September 2019
	2018 Wunderkammer (Germany) Cabinet of Curiosities La MaMa 2018 Puppet Festival, New York, NY USA November 1-3, 2018
	2018 Wakka Wakka Productions Made in China Go Figure Internasjonal figurteaterfestival, Oslo, Norway June 8-9, 2018
	2017 Plexus Polaire (France/Norway) Cendres (Ashes) Puppeteers of America 2017 National Puppetry Festival, Concordia University St. Paul, MN USA July 18-22, 2017
	2017 Blair Thomas & Co. Moby Dick Festival Mondial des Theatres de Marionnettes, Charlesville-Mezieres, France September 16-24, 2017

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.