Moving Image Launches Kickstarter for Permanent Jim Henson Exhibition

Museum of the Moving Image today launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $40,000 to complete preparations for The Jim Henson Exhibition, slated to open later this year.

The campaign, live at Kickstarter, runs through May 11 and features a video message from Neil Patrick Harris; Bonnie Erickson, designer of Miss Piggy; MoMI Executive Director Carl Goodman; MoMI curator Barbara Miller; and others talking about the influence of Jim Henson on their lives. Funds raised in this campaign will go towards the conservation of puppets in the collection and to the building of cases for the permanent exhibition.

"While Jim Henson may be best known as the inventor of THE MUPPETS and so many other memorable characters, our exhibition takes a more holistic view of his contributions as a producer, director, innovator, and creative leader who worked with an impressive team of collaborators," said Carl Goodman. "In that spirit, we are honored to be working with the designers and builders at the legendary Jim Henson's Creature Shop to restore and preserve the puppets for future generations. And we are excited to be partnering with Kickstarter on reaching our goal of presenting the new permanent Jim Henson exhibition."

"The Arts team at Kickstarter champions projects that celebrate bold ideas and bring communities together," said Shane Brennan, Kickstarter's Art Engagement Strategist. "MoMI's campaign is a great example of how a leading cultural institution can use Kickstarter to connect with Jim Henson fans around the world, and together support an exhibition that will honor the legacy of this truly visionary creator."

The Jim Henson Exhibition at Museum of the Moving Image will feature more than 40 original puppets-including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Elmo, Cookie Monster, the Fraggles, and a Skeksis from The Dark Crystal-as well as puppet prototypes, original character sketches, rare behind-the-scenes footage and photographs, and interactive puppetry design and performance experiences. The exhibition will be on permanent view at the Museum and will serve as a go-to destination in New York City for fans of Jim Henson from around the world. It will showcase selections from the Museum's comprehensive collection of puppets and other artifacts related to the work of Jim Henson, donated by his family.

The Jim Henson Collection at Museum of the Moving Image includes approximately 175 historic puppets, including those mentioned above, as well as Big Bird, Ernie, Bert, the Fraggles, Jen and Kira from The Dark Crystal, and many, many more. The restoration of this important collection is an ongoing collaboration between the Museum and Jim Henson's Creature Shop, with input from fine art conservators.

In addition to the permanent exhibition at MoMI, the Museum has drawn upon the Henson Collection to develop a traveling version of the exhibition, which will make its debut at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle on May 20, 2017.

Find out more about The Jim Henson Exhibition and the Jim Henson Collection at www.kickstarter.com/projects/899731242/the-jim-henson-exhibition-at-museum-of-the-moving.