Rufus and Margo Rose New Works Fund

Established: 1975

Purpose: Honors fine performers and great friends of puppetry, Rufus and Margo Rose. Makes financial grants to active puppeteers for projects that will further the growth and development of the art of puppetry.

Award Structure: Contributions to the fund are invested and every other year awards are made from accumulated interest. For the 2025 cycle, six grants of $750 each were awarded (three to Emerging Artists and three to Established Artists).

Geographic Scope

• Eligible Applicants: Any North American puppet company or individual puppeteer
• Membership Requirement: Either the applicant or one member of the applying company must be a current member of Puppeteers of America

Project Focus Areas - FUNDED

• Priority: Creation and development of NEW PROFESSIONAL PUPPET PRODUCTIONS
• Eligible Projects:
  • Production of new shows
  • Films or videos
  • Process-oriented puppetry projects (e.g., workshops, residencies) — only after production grants awarded and if funds available
  • Equipment grants — only if specialized need can be demonstrated

Project Focus Areas - NOT FUNDED

• Transportation
• Living expenses
• Tours
• Festival/performance bookings
• General travel grants

Artist Categories

Emerging Artist: Artist or company working in/with puppetry for 5 years or less, including:

• Students
• Artists with 5+ years puppetry experience who are creating solo work for the first time

Established Artist: Artist or company that:

• Has worked in/with puppetry for 5+ years
• Has received Puppeteers of America recognition via a PofA award or Endowment Fund grant
• Has placement at a theater, company, museum, or academic institution allowing regular puppetry work

Ineligibility

Artists awarded a grant in one of the two previous cycles are NOT eligible to apply (e.g., 2021 or 2023 awardees next eligible in 2027).

Judging Criteria

1. Artistic Merit: Project well-developed and unique; message/point of view clearly articulated; support materials demonstrate artistry; offers something new
2. Feasibility: Project feasible with available resources; realistic timeline; doable budget
3. Impact: Impact on artists AND audiences; stimulates further activity; audience reach; marketing/sharing plan
4. Professionalism: Application on time, complete, accurate, professionally presented (incomplete/late applications ineligible)
5. Miscellaneous: Broader puppetry community connections; connection to PofA's equity, diversity and inclusion efforts; alignment with PofA mission to support puppeteers and advance puppetry art

Grant Recipient Obligations

• Grant must be used for stated purposes
• Timeline: Two years from written notification to complete project
• Credit Line: Required in all printed publicity/programs: "This project has been partially funded by a grant from The Puppeteers of America Endowment Fund."
• Final Report: Due by end of two-year timeline, including:
  • Description of project
  • Photographs
  • Publicity materials
  • Announcement of completion
• Materials Usage: PofA may use materials in Puppetry Journal, website, social media, or member emails (with grantee permission)

Contact

Endowment Fund Committee Chair: endowment@puppeteers.org

Application Process

Timeline (2025 cycle example):

• July 10, 2025: Submissions/applications closed
• July 11-31, 2025: Applications reviewed by committee
• Early August 2025: Award notifications sent via email
• Mid-August 2025: Recipients announced to PofA membership; funds available
• By June 30, 2027: Projects completed, final report due

Required Application Materials

Applications should include the following information:

1. Applicant Information
   • Name of individual signing application
   • Organization or company name (if applicable)
2. Project Information
   • Title of project (or one-two word identifying phrase)
   • Project completion date/projected performance/presentation date and location (debut)
3. Contact Information
   • Email address
   • Mailing address of home studio/office
   • Phone number(s)
   • Website and social media (if applicable)
4. Category Selection
   • Emerging or Established Artist?
5. History
   • Past New Works/Endowment Fund Grant recipient? (Years if applicable)
6. Membership
   • Current Puppeteers of America membership expiration date
7. Budget
   • Complete detailed budget breakdown showing exactly how the grant will be used
8. Project Description
   • Make your case for funding
   • Include information on:
   • Target audience
   • Puppet style to be used
   • Production style
   • Plot synopsis
   • What makes project unique
   • How it moves you and/or puppetry forward
9. Impact Statement
   • How show will impact community, audiences, and puppetry
10. Marketing/Publicity Plan
    • Description of marketing strategy
    • How show will be shared to reach as many people as possible

Supplemental Materials

Maximum of 6 documents and 5 images of your choice, such as:

• Photographs
• Drawings
• Puppet designs
• Resumes
• Newspaper clippings
• Reviews (preferably of the new work, but can include previous work)
• Marketing plans
• Letters of recommendation

Additional:

• Email link to online video of your work (in addition to documents and images)

Application Requirements

• Complete and accurate information
• Professional presentation
• On-time submission (late/incomplete applications ineligible)
• Emphasis on THIS new work for which support is requested