Keith Young

Office: Asheville City Council

Primary Candidate Survey Response

To what extent do you agree with the following statement? Please briefly explain your answer.

“Local government should play an active role in supporting arts and culture because of their impact on the economy, quality of life, and community recovery.”

Strongly agree – Local government should be a proactive partner through funding, policy, and planning

Arts and culture are economic and recovery infrastructure, not a luxury. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications (Art and Design), and the arts are central to who I am and how I serve. Through my foundation, the Young Foundation for Social Justice and the Arts, I’ve seen how arts investment strengthens small businesses, builds community, and accelerates recovery. Local government should be a proactive partner through funding, policy, and planning, including stabilizing support for working artists and cultural organizations and integrating arts into public spaces and neighborhood revitalization across Asheville.