1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
Artist Grants is a grant from The Jim Henson Foundation that funds professional puppet theater projects in the United States. The foundation supports the creation of original puppet theater works at the professional level, with distinct grant categories for production grants and workshop grants.
Applications are submitted through Submittable, and applicants should review webinar materials covering Letters of Intent best practices before applying. Eligible applicants are professional puppet theater artists and companies. Application cycles are announced annually; a Letter of Intent is the first step in the process.
Get alerted about grants like this
Save a search for “The Jim Henson Foundation” or related topics and get emailed when new opportunities appear.
Search similar grants →Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Artist Grants – The Jim Henson Foundation Puppetry at the Carriage House (PATCH) JHF Collection at NYPL – TOFT Richard Termine Photography Exhibit Autism and Puppets – Yale Study Out of the Shadows: Henson Festivals Book Puppets on Film Festivals 2011-2014 The Pigeoning - Robin Frohardt 2012 Production Grant, Photo: Richard Termine 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. Please click this link to find submission portals for all grants.
For in depth information and best practices for the Letter of Intent, you can watch the recording of the webinar and review the webinar slides below: Letters of Intent Webinar Video Recording / Webinar Slides 2026 Granting Cycle Calendar January 5, 2026 Funds become available March 3, 2026 Letter of intent online submission deadline June 5, 2026 Notification of application status September 9, 2026 Full proposal online submission deadline December 9, 2026 Final notification January 4, 2027 Funds become available Crucial Excursions – Monkeybear’s Harmolodic Workshop 2021 Workshop Grant, Photo: Bruce Silcox The Jim Henson Foundation awards grants each year for the creation of innovative new works of contemporary puppet theater.
Our definition of a puppet is an object that is given the appearance of life through direct or indirect manipulation by the human hand. The Foundation’s Board of Directors judges applications based on the excellence of the puppetry including puppet design, manipulation and theatrical execution. There are three Artist Grants available: Workshop Grants ($4,000) , Production Grants ($10,000) , and Family Grants ($5,000) .
All Artist Grants are to be used towards puppetry. This includes the building and performing of the puppets and the integration of the puppets in the piece. Production Grants of $10,000 are awarded for the production of new works ready to premeire in the coming year.
Workshop Grants of $4,000 are for the development and workshopping of these pieces. Workshop Grants support the further development of work as it progresses toward becoming a full length production. A public showing is not required; however, you must provide a strong video record of the workshop and show in your final report how the funds were used to advance the piece.
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 $5,000 fund the development of new and innovative work specifically for children, families, and teenagers ready to premiere in the coming year. Please keep in mind that Family Grants will be evaluated by the same high artistic standards as works for adults. Since The Jim Henson Foundation began awarding grants in 1982, there has been astonishing growth in both the quantity and quality of puppet theater in this country.
This has made it increasingly difficult to narrow the applicant pool, so we have instituted a policy that we hope will more evenly distribute our funds among the many artists worthy of support. Artists who received a grant in the previous year are not eligible to submit a proposal in the current year.
Artists who received a Workshop Grant in the previous year are eligible to apply in the current year, but only for a Production Grant to further develop the previously funded piece. Grants are made only for the development of new full-length 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.
The Foundation does not fund: film or television projects projects for school credit education or outreach activities purely digital performance puppetry performed by students masks alone unless they are used with puppets shadow theater that is not shadow puppetry miniature environments lacking miniature inhabitants that come to life theater that is primarily about illustrating a story or message educational shows primarily for educational value remounts of existing work a piece that is not conceived as a full-length work a script reading that does not yet include puppetry works in which the majority of the building, rehearsal or performance takes place outside of the United States We would like to emphasize that live puppet performance needs to be integral to the proposed project.
While we 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. Funding decisions are based on the quality of the puppetry.
Please note that the Foundation will prioritize work that can continue beyond a premiere. We look for shows that will live on through multiple performances with the potential to tour both nationally and internationally. Unfortunately, the Foundation does not offer crisis funding.
Awards can be made only to IRS tax-exempt organizations. We 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. Learn more about the application process on our Grant Application FAQ page .
The Mud Angels, Luis Tentindo 2010 Production Grant, 2009 Workshop Grant, Photo: Richard Termine If you would like to be considered for a grant, the first step is to submit a letter of intent on or before March 3, 2026 . Here is the link to submit for all types of Artist Grants for 2027. The letter of intent is a PDF comprised of two pages, a 1 page letter and a 1 page visual.
The Letter must include: Your complete contact information, including mailing address, phone number, email and website address The category of grant you intend to apply for – Production, Workshop or Family.
A clear description of the planned project, including the dramatic arc of the piece, the types of puppets that will be used, the lead puppeteer, the lead puppet designer and builder, and your timeline for the work including any upcoming workshops, residencies, or performances. The letter must be accompanied by a one-page visual .
This can be photographs of the puppet(s), a working sketch or illustration of the puppet(s), or a combination of images that show the puppetry in the proposed project. Do not include images of other artists you are inspired by who are not attached to the project. If these kinds of inspirational images are included, your application will be disqualified.
Puppetry is a visual medium, the one-page visual you submit is essential to the letter of intent phase of the process. All images must be original work and have the artist/source identified. Do NOT submit a cover letter or any other additional materials.
Approximately half of the applicants submitting letters of intent will be asked to submit full proposals. Letters of intent will be reviewed at the Spring board meeting, and applicants will be notified of the board’s decision by June 5, 2026.
Sea Change: the history of water – Cabinet of Curiosity 2021 Production Grant, Photo: Chris Andrews If you are invited to submit a full proposal, your application must be received on or before September 9, 2026 . Late applications are not accepted. Applications will be reviewed at the Fall board meeting, and applicants will be notified of the board’s decision by December 9, 2026 .
Applications are accepted by Submittable only. Please read the application instructions carefully. All materials including photographs and other visuals must be submitted through Submittable.
Materials that exceed page limits will not be reviewed. Applications must include the following information: a one-page project description Describe the technique you will use and the concept of the piece, including content, dramatic arc, execution, and use of puppetry. Outline your timeline for the work including any upcoming workshops, residencies or work-in-progress performances.
If you are applying for a production or family grant, please include when and where your anticipated premiere will be. a one-page project budget, including both income and expenses Submit a budget for the entire project – not just a budget for how Foundation funds would be spent. The funds from the grant need to be used for the puppetry in the piece.
If more than one artist is included in the application, all bios should be combined on one page. a one-page company or organization description (only if needed) Include only if substantially different from the artist bio. Photographs, sketches or other visuals relevant to the proposed project Each grant application is required to submit no more than one page of color images.
Applicants are advised to caption the visual with a brief description. Visuals must be of the puppetry in the proposed project. Do not submit work samples of past work.
All images must be original work and have the artist/source identified. Do not include images of other artists you are inspired by who are not attached to the project. If these kinds of inspirational images are included, your application will be disqualified.
If you ARE a non-profit organization: A Copy of IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter Be sure to include a copy of your organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter in your multi-page PDF.
If you ARE NOT a non-profit organization: Fiscal Sponsor Letter & IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter If you are not a non-profit organization, you must use a fiscal sponsor and include a letter from the organization stating that they agree to serve as your fiscal sponsor for the project, along with proof of their 501(c)(3) status. More information about this can be found on the Grant Application FAQ page.
Production & Family Grant, 2027 Presenting Commitment If you are applying for a production grant or a family grant you will need to have proof of a commitment with a presenter for 2027 included in your application. If you are unable to get a commitment by the September 9 application deadline, email the Grant Manager and you can request to submit this letter by November 1st. Send this follow up proof as a PDF on Submittable.
If you are using previously published work that is not in the public domain, you need to have obtained the rights to this work and include proof of this in your application. Video Footage is a requirement for all applicants. If you are applying for a Production or Family Grant the video needs to be of the project for which you are applying.
Workshop Grant applicants may submit video of a past performance, however at least half of your video needs to be of the proposed project. The video must feature the puppetry in the piece. All video submissions should be high quality .
mov, . m4v, or . mp4 files.
File should be no larger than 2GB File should be 3-4 minutes, but no longer than 4 minutes. The video needs to showcase excellence of the puppetry in the piece. 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. © 1982-2026 The Jim Henson Foundation
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Individual artists and nonprofits creating innovative new works of contemporary puppet theater; U.S. citizen required as primary artist, with development and premiere in the United States. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $4,000 - $10,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is March 3, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
An organization may submit only one application through one of the following FY 2014 Grants for Arts Projects categories: Art Works or Challenge America Fast-Track. The Arts Endowment's support of a project may start on or after January 1, 2014 The Challenge America Fast-Track category offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations -- those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Age alone (e.g., youth, seniors) does not qualify a group as underserved; at least one of the underserved characteristics noted above also must be present. Grants are available for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development. This category encourages and supports the following two outcomes: Engagement: Engaging the public with diverse and excellent art. Livability: The strengthening of communities through the arts. You will be asked to select the outcome that is most relevant to your project (you also will be able to select a secondary outcome). When making selections, you should identify the outcome(s) that reflect the results expected to be achieved by your project. If you receive a grant, you also will be asked to provide evidence of those results. Challenge America Fast-Track grants: Extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Are limited to the specific types of projects outlined below. Are for a fixed amount of $10,000 and require a minimum $10,000 match. Receive an expedited application review. Organizations are notified whether they have been recommended for a grant approximately six months after they apply; projects may start shortly thereafter. Funding Opportunity Number: 2013NEA01CAFT. Assistance Listing: 45.024. Funding Instrument: G. Category: AR. Award Amount: Up to $10K per award.
Sundance Documentary Fund is sponsored by Sundance Institute. The Sundance Documentary Fund provides stable funding for innovative nonfiction works that tackle today's pressing issues, magnify global voices, and help artists from historically marginalized communities. It supports feature-length documentaries (52 minutes or longer) at any production phase from development through post-production. The fund welcomes hybrid, animated, and experimental documentaries with budgets under $1 million.