Clowns of America International Inc., (COAI) is a
Minnesota
Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...
-based
nonprofit clown arts membership organization which aims 'to share, educate and act as a gathering place for serious minded amateurs, semi-professionals, and professional clowns.' It provides its members with resources needed for its members to refine and develop their characters. The COAI follows a strict code of ethics, known as the "Eight Clown Commandments". In addition to the co-operative nature of the group and its annual conventions, it also provides several scholarship opportunities to young men and women.
History
Formerly Clowns of America, COAI was founded in its current form in 1984. In the early 1980s, Clowns of America had financial problems. This led to its breakup and the founding of COAI and the World Clown Association.
It comprises numerous alleys, local clown clubs which act as meeting places for members. According to the COAI bylaws, any group with at least five members that form a local chapter are considered to be a clown alley.
The COAI also publishes its own bimonthly magazine, ''The New Calliope,'' containing information about the organization, news, events, and clown-related articles.
Affiliates
* Mid Atlantic Clown Association
* Mid West Clown Association
* Southeast Clown Association
* Texas Clown Association
* Pennsylvania East Clown Company Association
See also
* Charlie Award
* Clown society
* ''The New Calliope''
References
External links
Clowns of America Internationalofficial homepage
* https://www.coaiconvention.com/ Convention in April 2022
Clowning
Clubs and societies in the United States
Philanthropic organizations based in the United States
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