A profession for every tradition, every generation
What we are working toward, and why it matters.
Vision statement
A world where healthcare clowning is recognised as a valued profession in healthcare, united by shared standards and enriched by diverse artistic traditions.
We envision a profession that remains open to all who are called to this work, where pathways to recognition are accessible, mentorship is honoured alongside education, and accreditation supports excellence without imposing unnecessary barriers.
By connecting practitioners, organisations, educators, researchers, and healthcare systems worldwide, we strengthen a profession in which every tradition belongs, every contribution is valued, and every generation helps shape the future of care.
What this vision requires
Six commitments that shape how IAHC approaches accreditation, partnership, and professional development.
Global and inclusive
Healthcare clowning has flourished independently across dozens of countries, each with its own artistic heritage and clinical context. Our vision holds space for all of them, not as variations on a single model, but as equal expressions of a shared calling.
Open pathways
Recognition should not depend on geography, institutional affiliation, or financial means. We are committed to building accreditation routes that are genuinely accessible, including pathways that honour experiential learning and mentorship as legitimate forms of professional formation.
Mentorship as foundation
The transmission of this craft has always moved person to person, from experienced practitioner to emerging one. We believe mentorship is not a supplement to formal education; it is a primary mode of professional development in this field and deserves formal recognition.
Standards without barriers
Accreditation exists to support quality and protect patients, not to restrict entry or impose a single aesthetic. Our standards will be grounded in evidence, developed collaboratively, and reviewed continuously to ensure they serve the profession rather than gatekeep it.
A connected profession
Isolation is one of the greatest challenges facing practitioners in this field. By building genuine connections between individuals, organisations, and healthcare systems, we create the conditions for shared learning, mutual support, and collective advocacy.
Shaped by every generation
The future of healthcare clowning will be determined by those who practise it. We are committed to governance and development processes that actively include emerging practitioners, diverse voices, and the communities this profession serves.
An association in formation
IAHC is itself a work in progress, a proposed professional milestone, not a finished institution. This vision is an invitation: to practitioners, organisations, educators, researchers, and healthcare systems worldwide to help shape what this association becomes.
Join the conversation