Minneapolis, MN

IN THE HEART OF THE BEAST PUPPET AND MASK THEATRE

EIN 41-1251313

Arts, Culture & Heritage Performing Arts

Mission

Our mission is to nurture creative empowerment through the joy and magic of puppetry performance and education.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity Contributions are tax-deductible

About IN THE HEART OF THE BEAST PUPPET AND MASK THEATRE

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT) is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit puppet and mask theater that creates original performance work, offers puppetry education across ages, and produces large community pageants and events. Founded in the 1970s, HOBT is widely known in the Twin Cities for its community-centered programming, artist training, and the long-running MayDay Parade and Festival.

In recent years HOBT has rebuilt operations after pandemic disruptions: it reopened and renovated its Avalon performance space and launched a public puppet library in 2023, and in 2024–2025 undertook a planned transition from the Avalon building to a new storefront home while continuing classes, camps, touring programs, and community outreach. The organization maintains an active event calendar, artist residencies, and arts education offerings for children, teens, adults, and schools.

Notable achievements

MayDay Parade & Festival — sustained community tradition

Maintained and produced the multi-decade MayDay Parade and Festival, a signature community pageant that engages neighborhood residents, schools, and local artists in participatory ritual and pageantry.

Avalon Theatre renovation and public Puppet Library (2023)

Reopened and renovated the Avalon performance space and launched a Puppet Library that allows community members to check out large- and small-scale puppets for educational, celebratory, and civic uses, expanding access to puppetry.

Planned relocation and continuity of programming (2024–2025)

Executed a strategic transition away from the Avalon building with community moving events and the identification of a new storefront home (announced 2025), preserving organizational continuity, collections, and year-round programming.

At a glance

Total assets: $544K
Annual revenue: $395K
Tax status: 501(c)(3)Public charity
EIN: 41-1251313
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Website: www.hobt.org
On Mahalo since: May 2026

Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.

Recognition

Operating and project support from major Minnesota arts funders, including Minnesota State Arts Board and foundations such as McKnight and Best Buy, reflecting institutional recognition of HOBT’s community arts role.

Featured in local media coverage and arts reporting for its 2023 reopening, renovated theater, and puppet library, highlighting HOBT’s cultural and historical importance in the Twin Cities arts ecosystem.

Listed and maintained as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 41-1251313) in national nonprofit databases and registries, with publicly filed Form 990s documenting recent financial activity.

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