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ELKINS -- Augusta Heritage Center Chief Executive Officer Seth Young has been selected to take part in what is being promoted as one of the most prestigious intellectual gatherings in the world after being chosen as a fellow for the 2023 Aspen IDEAS Festival.
The event, scheduled for Colorado during the final week of June, covers a broad spectrum of timely and critical topics through panels, presentations, lectures, deep dives and interviews.
"At the festival I will be coming together with a diverse community of innovators from all over the United States," Young told The Inter-Mountain this week. "We will have round table discussions about the different challenges that face our regions. We will look to find solutions to those challenges."
The program of events at the festival includes discussions, seminars, panels, and tutorials from journalists, designers, innovators, politicians, diplomats, presidents, judges, musicians, artists and writers.
"I am honored and thrilled to be selected as an Aspen IDEAS fellow," Young said. "The festival brings together some of the most innovative and visionary leaders from various fields, and I am eager to learn from and contribute to this dynamic community of thinkers and doers."
Young was selected as a fellow for the festival based on his achievements and contributions to the cultural and educational vitality of West Virginia and the Appalachian region.
"It has been my lifelong passion and mission to facilitate arts education opportunities and community building projects," Young said.
"Through the programs and initiatives of the Augusta Heritage Center, we have been able to create a space where people from all backgrounds can come together to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the beauty and diversity of our region's music, dance, crafts, and stories."
Young is a respected musician, scholar and educator who has performed throughout the United States and internationally.
The Augusta Heritage Center has received numerous awards under Young's direction, including the Vandalia Award and the Governor's Art Award from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History.
Augusta has recently added many year-round engagements, including a children's choir and strings program supported by the Benedum Foundation, and a series of elementary school assemblies supported by Chorus America.
Young has played a vital role in organizing and facilitating numerous workshops, concerts and festivals that showcase the rich traditions of music, dance, crafts and folklore of the region. Augusta has also established partnerships with local communities, schools and organizations to promote cultural exchange, education, and economic development.
"As an Aspen IDEAS fellow, I hope to bring a unique perspective and expertise to the discussions and collaborations around the complex challenges facing rural communities," Young stated. "I also look forward to bringing back new ideas and connections to further enrich the programs and initiatives of the Augusta Heritage Center."