The Fuddi-Duddy Institute is a unique clown organization within the Capital Region's clown arts community.  Its sole purpose is to develop and present clown arts training programs.  The Institute produces and presents the Capital Region Clown Arts Festival each winter and other training programs throughout the year.  Its participants and graduates are often seen at public events, in schools, in area long term care facilities, in parades and at public and private celebrations across the Tech Valley.  Affiliated with Clowns of America International, the Institute's staff includes five instructors who have been honored as International Clown of the Year and officers of several local, regional and international clowning efforts.