The Western Folklife Center is dedicated to exploring, presenting and preserving the diverse and dynamic cultural heritage of the American West. We celebrate the wisdom, artistry and ingenuity of western folkways through exhibitions, educational programs, national radio and television programs, research and preservation projects, our website, and our premier event, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. We nurture connections among rural and ranching cultures globally, exploring universal themes in working traditions and artistic expression, which we believe are vital links to the past, present and future of the American West.
The Stakeholder Program provides an opportunity for individuals who want to be more deeply engaged in our work to support programs that are meaningful to them. As a stakeholder, you will join a special group of friends of the Western Folklife Center who come together at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering every year to learn about special initiatives and get an insider's view of our programs.
By allowing you to focus your gift on the programs you care about, the Stakeholder Program is fundamentally different from our Membership Program, which provides benefits such as early access to National Cowboy Poetry Gathering tickets.
When you contribute a minimum of $250 or more to the program of your choice, you are demonstrating that you value what we do. In return for your investment, you will receive:- an invitation to the Stakeholder Breakfast at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering where you learn about current and future programs;
- invitations to events and social opportunities in communities where we conduct outreach events; and
- special communications with information about the direct and personal results of your gift.
National Cowboy Poetry Gathering poets and musicians
With between 70 and 100 artists represented at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering each year, the costs for travel, lodging and honorarium really add up. As a stakeholder you can contribute to the cost of bringing poets and musicians to the Gathering or you can opt to sponsor a particular artist. Depending on the size of your gift, we may give you credit at the show and other special benefits. Click here to donate now, or for more information about sponsoring a poet or musician, contact Charlie Seemann toll-free at (888) 880-5885 or by email at
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Educational programs for children/youth
| The Western Folklife center provides workshops, tours and performances for youth during the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and throughout the year in Elko. Roughly 7,000 schoolchildren participate in programs during the Gathering, including home-schooled and rural children. This is a wonderful way to provide young people with information and perspective on western culture. Click here to donate now. |  |
Media Programs
The Media Department celebrates stories of culture and community from the rural West through radio features for NPR, television documentaries for PBS, and multimedia content for the Web. We also empower rural westerners to tell their own stories with our Deep West Video program. All of our programming is labor-intensive and requires extensive fieldwork and research in addition to careful production. Donations of $1000 or more to Media Programs make you an Associate Producer on a current production. Click here to donate now.
Exhibitions
The Western Folklife Center produces and hosts exhibitions in its Wiegand Gallery in Elko, as well as online and traveling exhibitions that grow out of original fieldwork and research as well as collaborative work with artists, cultural specialists and other museums. Producing an exhibition from the ground up requires research, curation, production, shipping, installation, insurance and maintenance. Your stakeholder contribution can help ensure that our unique exhibits continue to be of the highest quality. Click here to donate now.
Archives
The Western Folklife Center Archives collects and preserves materials in all formats that document expressive arts, traditional lifeways, and the evolving cultural landscape in the Great Basin region and throughout the American West. The Archives is also responsible for documenting the programs and administrative history of the Western Folklife Center. Ask for our This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details if you are interested in giving to this important aspect of our work.
International cultural programs
Over the years the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering has frequently hosted representatives of cattle and horse cultures from around the world. These exchanges set us apart from other gatherings and have fostered many cross-cultural exchanges and international friendships. You can contribute to the cost of international travel expenses, special exhibitions, performances and other elements of these unique programs. Click here to donate now.
General operations
Keeping the doors open and the lights on at the Pioneer Hotel, and paying the dedicated and talented staff is critical to the ability of the Western Folklife Center to function. Without this infrastructure, we would be unable to present the educational programs and entertainment that you value. While an unrestricted donation to our general operations many not be the splashiest choice for your support, it will help us maintain our beautiful building and continue to support the high-quality programs that you love. Click here to donate now.
