THE WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER IS DEDICATED TO EXPLORE AND GIVE VOICE TO TRADITIONAL AND DYNAMIC CULTURES OF THE AMERICAN WEST. OUR MISSION IS TO USE STORY AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION TO CONNECT THE AMERICAN WEST TO THE WORLD. 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.
Executive compensation
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 1 reported individual · Filing year 2024
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations nationwide.
| Position | Total |
|---|---|
Executive Di 75th to 90th percentile | $149k $159k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with BLS CPI-U for the West region, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 9 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER INC equaled 6% of the organization's total expenses. The median for arts, culture & humanities organizations is 11%.
Based on 17,098 arts, culture & humanities organizations, each measured at its most recent filing year with reported expenses and compensation.
Held steady
from 2023
From $149k in 2023 to $149k in 2024.
Estimated with BLS CPI-U for the West region, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Executive Officer pay held roughly steady from 2023 to 2024, while revenue fell 12%.
Pay for the position itself, not any one person. The officeholder may have changed between 2023 and 2024.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER INC
What does the Chief Executive Officer of WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER INC earn?
In 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER INC received $149,162 in total compensation. This pay is in the top quarter for Chief Executive Officer roles among Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations nationwide, though not the top 10% of comparable filings. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER INC compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations nationwide, the 2024 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER INC falls between the 75th and 90th percentiles. In 2024, the highest total compensation at WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER INC equaled 6% of the organization's total expenses. The median for arts, culture & humanities organizations is 11%.
What are WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER INC's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER INC reported $2M in total revenue and $2.4M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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