'Muppet Magic' Coming to Williamstown
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Images Cinema is one of six organizations in the state to receive a 2011 Challenge America Fast-Track grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The $10,000 grant was awarded to present "Muppets, Music & Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy," an international touring film retrospective of the work of Jim Henson, from Monday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 25.
The retrospective will feature Kevin Clash, the puppeteer and voice of Elmo, who will make appearances on Friday, Sept. 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24. The program will also include puppet-making workshops with local puppet artists, in-school residencies, feature film screenings, best-of compilations, and rarities. All screenings will take place at Images Cinema at 50 Spring St. The full schedule is available at www.imagescinema.org.
"We are ecstatic to receive our first grant from the NEA that recognizes the caliber of arts organization we have become and the strength of the programming we provide our region," said Sandra Thomas, executive director of the nonprofit, 95-year-old cinema. "I started watching Sesame Street over 40 years ago and Jim Henson's creations continue to entertain and educate audiences of all ages. This film festival is for everyone — from Snuffleupagus lovers to Elmo devotees."
Henson, who died in 1990, was a groundbreaking puppeteer in television and film who brought beloved characters to life on the award-winning "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show."
The Challenge America Fast-Track grant seeks two outcomes: public engagement with diverse and excellent art, and strengthening of communities through the arts. Images Cinema's programming seeks to meet these priorities on an ongoing basis and for this program is partnering with schools, youth organizations and other community organizations to reach out to youth and families.
"It's heartening that the Arts Endowment, in reviewing our first-ever NEA proposal, quickly understood what locals have known all along: Images Cinema not only shows terrific, important films, but builds community through a range of family and collaborative programs," said former board member and grant consultant Julie Mackaman.
In addition to funding from the NEA, Images Cinema has received a grant from the Fund for Williamstown, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, to support the program and help meet the matching funds requirement of the NEA grant.
