Our journey since 1994 | RED NOSES International

RED NOSES healthcare clowning organisation — eleven countries, one mission

Spreading laughter since 1994

RED NOSES is a healthcare clowning organisation founded in Austria in 1994. Since then, RED NOSES has grown into an organisation with global reach. Today, with eleven partner offices, RED NOSES has worked tirelessly over the years to spread and share the power of laughter to people in need.

Over the years, our teams have developed high ethical and artistic standards to ensure that our organisation continues to provide valuable psychosocial support.

As a result, today RED NOSES is one of the largest healthcare clowning groups in the world.

RED NOSES founders — healthcare clowning organisation founded in Austria 1994

Our founders vision

Above all, at RED NOSES we believe in the beauty of human emotions and strive to help people rediscover moments of happiness, especially in times and places of crisis and hardship
Furthermore, we envision the creation of a healthier and more humane world by contributing to the wellbeing of all human beings
Moreover, through the art and philosophy of our healthcare clowning organisation, we support society in reconnecting with joy, happiness, and optimism.
At its core, a healthy society knows how to laugh and play; people living in a healthy society are connected to each other.
As a result, RED NOSES has become a global movement with a clear focus on encouraging more joy and happiness in the world

Historic milestones of RED NOSES group

Explore the key moments and defining achievements that shaped RED NOSES’ journey, spreading laughter, hope, and human connection worldwide.

1994: RED NOSES was founded in Austria

In 1994, Monica Culen and Giora Seelinger founded RED NOSES Clowndoctors as one of the first hospital clown programmes to come into operation in Europe.

1996: First partner organisation established

By 1996, RED NOSES had established PIROS ORR in Hungary, making it the first partner organisation of RED NOSES Austria.

1997 – 2002: Professionalisation of the international movement

Therefore, RED NOSES needed a structure to develop professional clown care programmes throughout Europe. RED NOSES launched ZDRAVOTNÍ KLAUN in the Czech Republic in 2002

2002: International School of Humour established

Additionally, RED NOSES established the International School of Humour (ISH) in 2002 as the professional training centre for all artists belonging to the RED NOSES group.

2003: RED NOSES International was founded

RNI was established as the headquarters of the group in 2003. In particular, RNI works to assist the partner organisations and diversify the healthcare clowning programmes.

2003 – 2004: Growth in Central Europe

Subsequently, RED NOSES opened further organisations in Germany, Slovenia and Slovakia

2010: RED NOSES organisation in Croatia opens

During this time, the first steps to establish a branch in the Palestinian Territories were also taken.

2012: RED NOSES Polish organisation opens

2012: RED NOSES organisation in Lithuania opens

2013: Start of Emergency Smile

By 2013, RED NOSES had launched the Emergency Smile programme to provide psychosocial support to people in crisis settings through the art of clowning.

2017: Jordan joins the RED NOSES group

By 2017, Jordan had officially become one of the 11 local organisations of the RED NOSES International Group. Together with RED NOSES Palestine, they now contribute to spreading the joyful RED NOSES mission in the Middle East.

2018 – present: our healthcare clowning organisation continues to evolve and develop into a global movement

Today, RED NOSES’ journey from its Austrian roots to a global movement has been marked by significant milestones and expansion. With numerous partner offices, we remain committed to providing valuable psychosocial support through the art of clowning, spreading laughter, and making a positive impact on individuals' lives.