The Jim Henson Exhibition opened to the public on July 22, as a permanent exhibition housed in a new gallery space funded by the City of New York, exploring Jim Henson’s groundbreaking work for film and television and his transformative impact on popular culture. Featured in the exhibit are a broad range of artefacts from Jim Henson’s career, revealing how Henson and his team of builders, performers, and writers brought to life the enduringly popular worlds of The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth. It also includes material from Henson’s lesser known and experimental film projects, presenting Henson as a restlessly creative performer, filmmaker, and technical innovator. Among the nearly 300 objects on view are 47 puppets, character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, and iconic costumes. Film and television clips and behind-the-scenes footage are presented on more than 27 monitors and projections throughout. Interactive experiences allow visitors to try their hand at puppeteering on screen and designing a puppet character. In addition to the permanent gallery, the Museum will explore Henson’s career and legacy through education programs, live appearances, family workshops, and film screenings.
