The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry (BIMP) is the
State Museum of Puppetry for Connecticut. Located on the UConn
Depot Campus in Storrs, the Museum preserves and exhibits puppets
from around the world as well as those created at the University
of Connecticut. BIMP also provides research and educational
opportunities to all who share the love of puppetry.
Our History
"A puppet is the artist's soul set free."
-Frank Ballard, Puppeteer, Designer/Director, Teacher

Frank Ballard with two of the Marionettes
from his production of HMS Pinafore. |
The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry began
in 1987 as the Puppet Preservation Committee whose members recognized
the uniqueness of the hundreds of puppets created at the University
of Connecticut. These puppets, designed by Frank Ballard,a professor
in the Department of Dramatic Arts, and built by students under
his direction were performed in main stage theatrical works at
the University of Connecticut. Puppet Theater productions of The
Mikado, The Magic Flute, Peer Gynt, Kismet, and The Ring
of the Nibelung, are but a few of the works presented from
1968 to 1989. The committee was organized to ensure these puppets
would be preserved and exhibited.
Since the museum facility opened in 1996, the collection
has grown exponentially through the donations of world-famous
puppeteers and friends of Frank Ballard. The diverse collection
now includes puppets of all types from hundreds of years past
and from all corners of the world.
The General Assembly of the State of Connecticut
approved legislation to designate the Ballard Institute and Museum
of Puppetry as the state's official museum of puppetry in 2003.
This web site is only a taste of what the museum
has to offer. We hope that you plan a visit to the museum in order
to experience the art and magic of puppetry up close and personal.
Frank Ballard has been an inspiration to all who have experienced
the beauty and imagination of his work.
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