This dynamic experience explores Jim Henson’s groundbreaking work for film and television and his transformative impact on culture.
The Jim Henson Exhibition features a broad range of objects from throughout his remarkable career. It reveals how Henson and his team of builders, performers, and writers brought to life the enduringly popular worlds of The Muppet Show, the Muppet movies, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth. It also includes material from Henson’s experimental film projects and his early work, presenting him as a restlessly creative performer, filmmaker, and technical innovator.
Among the nearly 300 objects on view are 47 puppets—including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Rowlf, The Swedish Chef, Statler, Waldorf, Big Bird, Elmo, Cantus Fraggle, a Skeksis, and other popular favorites—character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, and costumes. Film and television clips and behind-the-scenes footage are presented on monitors and projections throughout. Interactive experiences allow visitors to try their hand at puppeteering on screen and designing a puppet character.
Many of the objects featured in The Jim Henson Exhibition are drawn from a major donation by Jim Henson’s family to the Museum’s permanent collection. This donation of nearly 500 artifacts includes historic puppets, costumes, production design material, and licensed merchandise.
The Museum also explores Henson’s career and legacy through education programs, live appearances, and family workshops, plus film screenings with its recurring Jim Henson’s World program.
The exhibition was organized by Museum of the Moving Image in collaboration with the Henson family, The Jim Henson Legacy, and The Jim Henson Company, and in cooperation with Sesame Workshop and The Muppets Studio.
Museum of the Moving Image