WHAT WE DO Our Vision Explore and give voice to traditional and dynamic cultures of the American West. Our Mission Use story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world. Our Work The Western Folklife Center provides a platform for rural and urban communities to communicate and exchange new ideas and avenues of expression. We produced the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 1985. Our National Cowboy Poetry Gathering continues to celebrate and promote the artistry and ingenuity of life in the American West. It remains our signature event, with programming changing to reflect contemporary realities and issues of the American West. Throughout the year, our fieldwork, research, exhibits, website, and archives preserve, document, and share the heritage of the West. Our media and educational programs entertain and engage, deepening the understanding of the vitality and challenges of western communities. HOW WE DO IT We are a local and a regional nonprofit cultural center with an exhibition gallery, 300-seat theater, 20-seat black box theater, historic saloon, and gift shop. Founded in 1980, we are governed by a board of trustees along with a national advisory council made up of leaders in western cultural life. In addition to staff, a cadre of members, donors, and volunteers help us succeed in our mission. Operating support comes from a combination of earned and contributed income from ticketed events, public sources, private foundations, individual donors, and businesses.