Talk Stories From the Henson Archive

Behind the scenes photography from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present / © Apple. As seen on Apple TV. All Rights Reserved / Image courtesy: Apple, The Jim Henson Company

Behind the scenes photography from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present / © Apple. As seen on Apple TV. All Rights Reserved / Image courtesy: Apple, The Jim Henson Company / View full image

When

10.30 – 11.30 am, Sun 13 Sep 2026
View Calendar

Where

Gallery of Modern Art, Cinema A

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Auslan Interpreted

What to expect

Admission

Tickets on sale Mon 17 Aug | Members pre-sale from Fri 14 Aug

About

Behind every puppet in 'Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company' lies a story. How did these treasured objects come to be, and what does it take to bring them all the way to Brisbane for this exclusive exhibition?

Join Karen Falk (Archives Director and historian, The Jim Henson Company) in conversation with Amanda Slack-Smith (Curatorial Manager, Australian Cinémathèque and curator ‘Make, Believe, Magic’) as they reveal the fascinating stories behind many of the characters featured in the exhibition.

Exclusive QAGOMA Members pre-sale from 10.00am Fri 14 Aug 2026. General admission tickets on sale from 10.00am Mon 17 Aug 2026. Not a Member? Join now for pre-sale access.

Portrait of Karen Falk / Photograph: © The Jim Henson Company

Portrait of Karen Falk / Photograph: © The Jim Henson Company / View full image

Karen Falk

Since 1992, Karen Falk has served as Archives Director and historian for The Jim Henson Company, and is Vice President of The Jim Henson Legacy. She is author of Imagination Illustrated: The Jim Henson Journal and the main contributor to the Jim's Red Book blog on Henson.com, featuring excerpts of Jim Henson's personal journals alongside supporting archival material. Falk curated the touring exhibition 'Jim Henson's Fantastic World' and has organised numerous Henson exhibitions for museums and universities worldwide. She works closely with the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta on their Jim Henson Collection, and collaborates with the Museum of the Moving Image in New York on their permanent Jim Henson Gallery, where she also serves on the board. Falk has contributed to numerous publications, documentaries, websites, and video releases exploring the life and work of Jim Henson.

Portrait of Amanda Slack-Smith / Photograph: C Baxter, courtesy of QAGOMA

Portrait of Amanda Slack-Smith / Photograph: C Baxter, courtesy of QAGOMA / View full image

Amanda Slack-Smith

Amanda Slack-Smith is Curatorial Manager, Australian Cinémathèque at QAGOMA and curator of ‘Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of the Jim Henson Company’. Her focus is curating contemporary art and film across the Gallery’s exhibition spaces and cinemas with an emphasis on moving image, media arts and performance. In recent years Amanda has curated exhibitions including ‘Fairy Tales’; ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’; ‘Daniel Crooks: Motion Studies’; ‘National New Media Art Award’ (with Peter McKay); and ‘Physical Video’. Selected thematic film programs she has curated include ‘Forbidden Hollywood’, ‘Beauty in the B Grade’ and ‘Fairytales and Fables’, and the ‘Golden Age of Czech Animation’, as well as comprehensive director retrospectives ‘Alfred Hitchcock’, ‘Shirley Clarke’, ‘Ida Lupino’ and ‘Carl Theodor Dreyer’. Amanda was the Artistic Director of the Brisbane International Film Festival (2018-2020) and holds a Master of Arts (AIM) from RMIT University.

Production still from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present / © Apple. As seen on Apple TV. All Rights Reserved / Image courtesy: Apple, The Jim Henson Company

Production still from Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock 2022–present / © Apple. As seen on Apple TV. All Rights Reserved / Image courtesy: Apple, The Jim Henson Company / View full image

Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company

12 Sep 2026 – 18 Apr 2027, GOMA

Find out more
GOMA Friday Nights, May 2026 / Photograph: K Bennett, courtesy QAGOMA

GOMA Friday Nights, May 2026 / Photograph: K Bennett, courtesy QAGOMA / View full image

Members get more

Become a QAGOMA Member and get a FREE ticket to 'Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company', plus pre sale access, discounts + more. From $80.

Join today

What to expect

Here’s what to expect at this event.

Everyone is welcome! Please contact events.plus@qagoma.qld.gov.au in advance of the program if you have any access needs or queries about the event. Find out more about Accessibility at QAGOMA and planning your visit.

Participation and content

  • Seating to commence at approximately 10.15am for this event.
  • This event is designed for people aged 13+. Parents and guardians are encouraged to use their discretion in deciding whether the event feels right for their child’s interests and enjoyment. Please email events.plus@qagoma.qld.gov.au for more information.
  • You are welcome to come with a friend or by yourself. Many people attend the Gallery solo.
  • We ask all attendees to be kind, respectful, and courteous to all participants, speakers and staff at this event. This program will be monitored by QAGOMA staff to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our attendees, speakers and staff.

Tickets

  • A valid ‘Talk: Stories from the Henson Archive’ ticket is required to attend this event.
  • QAGOMA Members ticket vouchers are not accepted for this event.
  • Your ‘Talk: Stories from the Henson Archive’ ticket grants access to this event only - it does not include entry to 'Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company'. A separate, valid timed ticket is required to visit the exhibition.
  • Tickets can be booked online or over the phone via the QTIX Call Centre – 136 246.
  • QTIX is QAGOMA’s Ticketing provider, with a call centre and box office operating within the QPAC building in the Cultural Centre. QTIX Call Centre open hours details are available via on their website.
  • Cancellation and refund policy: Tickets are not refundable, in line with the QTIX terms and conditions agreed at sale, or transferable if you change your mind. Refunds may be considered in extenuating circumstances at the Gallery's discretion. Please contact events.plus@qagoma.qld.gov.au for more information.

Sensory aspects and Accessibility

  • This event will be Auslan interpreted.
  • Speakers will use an amplified microphone. Please let us know in advance if you are hard of hearing so we can make this talk accessible for you.
  • A screen/projection will be used during the event.
  • This event will be held in Cinema A, which is a 220-seat theatre space, the lights will be turned down on the audience during the event. You can leave the space at any time and re-enter the event.
  • Seating is tiered, with chairs that have backs. Some rows are at ground level, while others are accessible via stairs.
  • This event is wheelchair and pram accessible.
  • Pre-reserved accessible seating is available, please email events.plus@qagoma.qld.gov.au in advance to request accessible seating.
  • The Gallery air conditioning is set to 21°C to conserve the artworks.
  • This event will be photographed and filmed by QAGOMA staff. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please advise a QAGOMA staff member on arrival.
  • If the event becomes overwhelming or stressful, earmuffs and sensory kits are available. Each kit contains a number of resources for self-regulation and calming. Please speak to a staff member for assistance. These kits can also be requested in advance by emailing access@qagoma.qld.gov.au.

Companion Cards

We accept Companion Cards. A Companion Card is issued by the Queensland Government, for those with a disability and need for attendant care support. The ‘Companion’ ticket type is only valid for your companion to gain complimentary entry. A General Admission, Concession, Youth or QAGOMA Member ticket is required for the Companion Card holder to access this event. A valid companion card number is required to be supplied upon booking.