Augusta Heritage Center earns Governor’s Arts Award
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Submitted photo by Eric Armstrong
Emily Miller, Augusta Artistic Director, and Seth Young, Augusta Executive Director, pose with the Governor’s Arts Award for Folk Arts Organization.
CHARLESTON -- The Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College recently received the first-ever Governor's Arts Award for Folk Arts Organization during a ceremony held at the West Virginia Culture Center.
"The job of preserving and passing on folk arts traditions in West Virginia is incredibly rewarding in itself," said Augusta Artistic Director Emily Miller, "The fact that our state leadership is taking note of the work we do here at Augusta is inspiring, to say the least. It will be so wonderful to welcome our local community to celebrate with us in person this summer."
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History (WVDACH) and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts sponsored the awards ceremony. There were 11 Governor's Arts Awards presented at the event, including the award for Folk Arts Organization, which was a new category in 2022.
"We're truly honored to receive this award," said Augusta Executive Director Seth Young. "We feel blessed to live and work in a state that nurtures and elevates the traditional arts. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to documenting and celebrating the folk cultures of West Virginia, Appalachia, and beyond."
The Folks Arts Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership or skill in the field of folk and traditional arts within West Virginia. The West Virginia Commission on the Arts selected Augusta for this honor because of its ability to grow its programming and increase access to arts education even in the face of a lingering
pandemic.
The Governor's Arts Awards are presented biennially to celebrate the state's creative spirit and the amazing talents of the people and groups that produce art. They also recognize those whose willingness to support arts organizations and artists help to ensure the arts maintain an important place in our communities and schools.
Augusta plans to return to in-person classes, concerts, dances, and cultural sessions this summer. Over 100 master artists will teach on the campus of Davis & Elkins College over a three-week period in July. Lessons in Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun & Creole, Classic Country, Old-Time, Swing, and Vocal music will be offered.
Diverse craft classes, as well as Folk Arts for Kids and a Teen Augusta Program, are also scheduled. To find out more about offerings and scholarship opportunities, visit augustaartsandculture.org.