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.