New at the Western Folklife Center

From our headquarters in the historic Pioneer Building in downtown Elko, Nevada, the Western Folklife Center brings you Western Folklife TV! Known around the world for our flagship event, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, we share decades of archival recordings and live entertainment rooted in life in the American West. Cowboy poetry, music, gearmaking, educational and thought-provoking programming—you'll find it on Western Folklife TV, with new content released every week.

Western Folklife Center members can receive Western Folklife TV free with their membership.


Upcoming Events


40 Gatherings & CountING

Take a look back at the 40th Gathering!

Thank you to our members, donors, and sponsors who make the Gathering possible.


Become a Member

It’s not too early to become a member and be first in line to buy tickets for the 41st National Cowboy Poetry Gathering (Jan 25 - Jan 31, 2026).

Members enhance their experience with other perks too, including complimentary subscriptions to Western Folklife TV where performances from the 40th Gathering will be available to stream (at the Bronze level and above).


 

The Latest


 

Got a question? Ask a Cowboy Poet!

Here at the Western Folklife Center, we’ve been fortunate enough to forge relationships with wise wordsmiths and performers from all over the American West, and the world. Tap into this wealth of insight, wit, and humor! You send in your big (or small) questions and we put them up to the cowboy poet pros in our monthly column.