131 Pageviews Read Stories
- EIN 87-0447025
- (775) 738-7508
- 501 Railroad St Elko NV 89801 USA
- http://www.westernfolklife.org
- Add to Favorites
Promote This Nonprofit
Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Arts & Culture, Arts, Culture & Humanities, Education, Libraries
Mission: The Western Folklife Center believes that cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of American life and commits itself to preserving, presenting and perpetuating the varied traditions of the American West. Through research, documentation, public performances, media, exhibits, and educational programs, the Western Folklife Center honors the rich heritage and contemporary culture of the people of the West. Since 1980 the WFC has worked to heighten awareness and broaden audiences for traditional arts. The WFC is best known for the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which has arguably started a grass-roots artistic movement in the West. The Center also produces regular programming for public radio nationwide including Weekend Edition-Sunday, the Savvy Traveler and a series called Folk Economy for Marketplace on NPR. The Center maintains a year-round cultural center in Elko, Nevada which provides exhibitions, performances and a full array of educational programs. The underpinnings of all WFC programs are documentation and preservation.
Programs: "the national cowboy poetry gathering" is a grand celebration of western people, their lifestyles and traditions. As january turns to february, cowboys, ranchers, rural and urban people travel en masse to the small community of elko, nevada, to join with friends, family and all those who share their love of rural life in the west. Together, they listen to poetry and music, learn about cowboy culture in the u. S. And around the world, experience great art, watch western films, learn a craft, and gather together to eat, drink and swap stories. For the last 29 years, thousands of people - both rural and urban - have made this pilgrimage time and time again.
merchandise sales - the center maintains a year-round cultural center in the historic pioneer hotel building located in elko, nevada, from which it provides cultural events and merchandise sales to both members and the general public to facilitate a year-round experience, understanding, and appreciation of the diverse cultural heritage of the american west.
cultural programs and other events are activities, which includes a museum, exhibits, and revolving collections to enhance and promote the cowboy cultural heritage.