The Western Folklife Center offers educational programs for Elko County youth presented as a part of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. These sessions will mostly occur during the week prior to the Gathering, January 22-25, 2013.

Hundreds of poets, storytellers and musicians have walked across the stages in the years we have produced the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. As always, the Western Folklife Center shares some of our favorite programs and artists for Elko County students.  Past programs have included:

Student Art Show ~ The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering student art show features artwork from Elko County students and is on public display throughout the entire Gathering at the G Three Theater. A free community reception is held in March for the artists, their parents, friends and the public. All grades are welcome to enter artwork; there is no cost for participation.

Western Folklife Center Youth Festival ~ Held at the Western Folklife Center the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday prior to the Gathering, typical programs provide students with a range of activities  to educate them about ranch life and arts, and have included tours of the Western Folklife Center exhibition that will be featured during the Gathering, leather stamping, and a special activity featuring a free cowboy scarf paired with a glass of sarsaparilla. Read a blog posting about this event!

On-Site Assemblies ~ The Western Folklife Center traditionally presents two separate school assembly options, entertaining and educating students about traditional music at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

Young Buckaroo Open Mic & Talent Showcase ~ As always, the Young Buckaroo Poetry Session is an open-mic opportunity for young people under age 18 to share their creativity with our Gathering audience. Students are encouraged to perform original poetry, classic recitations and western music. This event is free to all participants and attendees. Watch this space for more information related to the the date and time the show will be at 30th Gathering, then come cheer on the future of the Gathering!

Special thanks to the following organizations and people for generously providing funds that keep these programs affordable for young people and help make them possible. Previous sponsors have included: Barrick Gold of North America, Bretzlaff Foundation, Newmont Mining Corporation, Reno Rodeo Charitable Foundation, Nevada Arts Council, NV Energy, Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, Nevada Department of Education, Wrangler, and The Poetry Foundation as well as many other businesses and organizations, and the many generous individual donors who have contributed funds to the Western Folklife Center’s Stakeholder Program for Youth Education.