Save Our Beast!

We are calling on our community—all those who love HOBT and the vital work we do—to “Save our Beast” and help us reach our goal to raise $70k by June 30, the end of our fiscal year.

We deeply appreciate your sustained support of In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT).  Thanks to people like you, we have enjoyed a successful year (yes, our 50th!) of programming, partnerships, and puppets!  Here’s some of what we’ve been up to:

  • Puppet Library: This unique resource, open to the public twice a month, lends out puppets and masks, with story time and make-and-take crafts. HOBT’s Puppet Library is one of only 3 in the country!
  • Community Programming: The success of the “Art Shaping Change” puppet workshop series at Global Market underscores the theater’s ability to engage and inspire intergenerational and diverse communities. We continue to partner with MIA, the MN Orchestra, and the American Swedish Institute to bring the joy of puppetry arts to even more people.
  • Educational Outreach: HOBT is dedicated to fostering learning and creativity. We have increased Education Programming by 50% since in the last 2 years through school residencies, community classes, events, and workshops
  • Mainstage: The recent premiere of “Phantom Loss,” Oanh Vu’s captivating table-top puppet show, touched on powerful themes of generational trauma and criminalization of immigration.  This full-length production built upon an earlier workshop series, hosted by HOBT last fall.
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Image Description: Artist Felicia Cooper performing her puppet show "Below the Underneath" to a group of second graders at FAIR School at Pilgrim Lane. Felicia is standing in front of a projection screen lit pink, with arms spread and puppet model to her right.

Give Today!

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Image Description: A photograph shows young participants listening to a story of "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" told by artist Chelly Beaver with a cranky.

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Image Description: A photograph shows artist Patty Gille interacting with young puppeteers during the Puppet Building Workshops at the Global Market, while one of them is modeling a Beast's head in progress. 

Make a Sustaining Donation

Become a Monthly Donor!

As a monthly donor, your gift ensures that Heart of the Beast is healthy and thriving. Your contribution to the annual fund sustains HOBT's ongoing work like The recent premiere of “Phantom Loss,” Oanh Vu’s captivating table-top puppet show, school residencies, community classes, events, and story time at our Puppet and Mask Lending Library.

Why give monthly?

PAPERLESS! You can choose to no longer receive our paper appeal mailings! You will receive one statement in January with a summary of your giving history for tax purposes.

Smaller monthly contributions! Do you normally give $100 a year? Break that down to a manageable $9 a month donation and you have hit your $100 mark (actually its $108, for you math geniuses out there). This is a great way to make your donations more financially manageable, while also ensuring reliable support for HOBT throughout the year.

Image Description: HOBT's hand logo in yellow appears above button to make a sustaining donation.

Want to make a gift in memory of someone?

Either mail a check to the theater with a letter explaining your wishes - OR - make the gift online and email your instructions to us at [email protected]

HOBT is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your gift is 100% tax deductible.

THANK YOU to our funders and friends

Many thanks to the hundreds of individuals who have joined Heartbeats, made monthly sustaining gifts, made Give to the Max donations, and contributed time and resources to support HOBT programming this year. The Board, Staff, Artists and Volunteers sincerely THANK YOU for your continuing generosity.

  • National Endowment for the Arts
  • Minnesota State Arts Board
  • McKnight Foundation
  • Hugh J. Andersen Foundation
  • HRK Foundation
  • Target
  • Sheltercare for Kids
  • Nonprofit Health & Wellness Center
  • Aisle Say Twin Cities
  • Twin Cities Daily Planet
  • Jackson Elementary School
  • Amnesty International
  • Great Harvest Bakery
  • Tiffany Creek Elementary
  • Saint Paul Open School
  • Sunny Hollow Montessori School
  • Rainbow Concessions
  • Saint Anthony Park
  • Sandburg Middle School
  • Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary Schools
  • Northerns Concessions
  • MayDay Bookstore
  • Minnehaha Academy
  • Minnesota Foodshare
  • Hiawatha Lake Business Association
  • Tea Tree Designs
  • Kalpulli Ketzalcoaliticue Aztec Dancers
  • Open Streets/Mpls Bike Coalition
  • The Alley