
New Orleans Musician's Clinic and Assistance Foundation
Photo by Marc Pagani
Keep Your Body In Tune!
The New Orleans Musician's Clinic and Assistance Foundation (NOMCAF) is a multifaceted, musician's advocacy organization serving a profession that is historically uninsured and under-protected. NOMCAF's largest program is a full-time health care clinic that treats 2,500 performers, in addition to community outreach through health events and resources.
"We are a responsive, mission-driven organization. The mission is to keep music ALIVE, and we accomplish this by keeping performers on stage."
NOMCAF was founded initially as a clinic in 1998 by community advocates who recognized that local musicians were adored all over the world, but while home, suffered from poverty, and health disparity. NOMC created a centralized location for health care access and advocacy, and in 2007, expanded to include the Assistance Foundation. NOMCAF is now a bedrock of assistance and aid for musicians throughout the city of New Orleans.
In addition to the medical home that provides ongoing cancer screenings, fitness and wellness opportunities, and access to hundreds of doctors in the LSU network regardless of ability to pay, NOMCAF hosts an annual, summer blood-drive, which will be held at Rock 'N Bowl in Midcity, on August 7th this year.
NOMCAF is an active member in the International Performing Arts Medicine Association and is the only organization of its kind. There is also an ongoing program dedicated to educating musicians, fans, and service workers around noise-induced hearing loss called "Safe Sounds".
This summer, NOMCAF is launching a dancer wellness program for local performers with ethnic backgrounds, and in the fall will re-start their financial fitness classes for Brass Band members. There is an annual flu shot drive for service industry workerss in the fall, and additional support for several arts, cultural and medical organizations with a focus on mental health, through direct community partnership funding.
An initial goal of $1,000 covers $3,000 in medical care through deep partnerships and donated services.
A secondary goal of $2,000 covers a month of physical therapy bills for patients.
A final goal of $5,000 would cover a month of blood work for patients.
NOMCAF's ultimate goal is to create a place where musicians and performers get the access they deserve to health care without any assistance. By supporting this campaign, you help us take steps toward a healthier future for every performer in New Orleans, keeping our culture and our musicians alive.
For more information, visit the New Orleans Musician's Clinic and Assistance Foundation at the following addresses:
Website Facebook Instagram Twitter