Just a couple days after launching a Kickstarter for its Jim Henson exhibit project, New York’s Museum of Moving Image has successfully secured its initial $40,000 funding target and is nearing $70,000 thanks to over 930 backers. The campaign was launched earlier this week and was seeking to funds as it prepares to open the exhibition for the famous Muppet creator.
As previously reported, the museum stated it is seeking a minimum of $40,000 for the exhibition, which will explore the world of the Muppets creator and his effect on pop culture:
“With a generous gift of hundreds of puppets and artifacts from the Henson family, Museum of the Moving Image in New York City plans to open a brand new, permanent exhibition dedicated to the work of legendary puppeteer and director Jim Henson. Over the course of a singular career, Henson created stories and characters for television and film that have delighted and inspired generations of fans around the world — from the glamorous Miss Piggy and the gentle Grover, to the mystical creatures of The Dark Crystal. The Jim Henson Exhibition will share the full story of Henson’s unique talent, and the deeply collaborative creative process behind his work.”
Sections of the Jim Henson’s exhibit will feature the creator’s early work for television and film, which will include his work on Sesame Street; memorabilia from The Muppet Show and Muppet feature films; and imaginary from Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth. Over 40 original puppets, such as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Elmo, Cookie Monster, the Fraggles, and a Skeksis from The Dark Crystal, will also be at the exhibit as well. In a recent update, the Museum announced as a stretch goal, it is seeking $100,000 and will add more Muppets to the exhibit:
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the community of Jim Henson fans! Your generosity has enabled us to meet our goal of $40,000 to preserve and install the puppets in The Jim Henson Exhibition in just two days! We hope you will continue to support us and help us spread the word about this campaign, as we extend our efforts to preserve Jim’s legacy: we are setting a new goal of $100,000, which will help us restore more puppets in the Museum’s Jim Henson collection.”
It was also noted:
“ The Jim Henson Exhibition at MoMI and its traveling version, The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited, will feature many of Jim’s unique puppets, but there are many more “waiting in the wings” for their turn! As The Jim Henson Exhibition is a permanent exhibition at the Museum, the puppets in the original installation will rotate off at times for routine conservation, and it is imperative that other puppets be ready to take their place!”
The Museum is currently planning to launch a traveling version of the exhibit, and the tour will kick off at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture on May 20th. The organization also noted it will be hosting screenings of Henson’s work and has piloted education and family programs that are related to the exhibit. The Kickstarter is set to run until May 11th.
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