Universal Mind Sponsors CultureWorks to Develop the Next Generation of Western MI Design Talent

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Oct. 6, 2016 - PRLog -- Universal Mind, a digital consulting and services firm focused on working with companies to optimize their digital value delivery, is proud to announce their sponsorship of CultureWorks, a Holland-based nonprofit that provides culturally relevant, transformational art and design experiences to individuals from all backgrounds.

Aside from providing funding for the organization, Universal Mind's Brad Ruiter, VP of User Experience and Matt Kortering, UX Architect, serve as the CultureWorks Board Chair, and as a Board Member, respectively. "Supporting an organization such as CultureWorks benefits Universal Mind in a myriad of ways," explains Ruiter. "It speaks to our commitment to providing the next generation of designers with opportunities to further their skills. This partnership also underscores our commitment to the communities in which we live and serve as CultureWorks understands the transformative nature of the arts and their innate ability to open up a world where anything is possible."

Founded in 2011, CultureWorks serves youths from all socio-economic backgrounds, but the organization was initially born to address the gap in community and arts-based resources for those coming from low-income backgrounds.

"The benefits of an arts education," says Karyl Morin, Executive Director of CultureWorks, "cannot be overstated. The arts have been proven to level the playing field across socio-economic boundaries and improves student retention, reduces the achievement gap, and nurtures the imagination, fostering a sense of hope and inclusion and contribution. CultureWorks strives to provide arts education to all, but especially to those whose backgrounds can limit their access to such opportunities."

Holland-area high schoolers and middle schoolers can enroll in courses ranging from "Digital Connection" to "I Spy Design," through CultureWorks, all tailored to further increasing arts skills. More than that is imparted through these courses. "I recently learned," says Kortering, whom prior to serving on the CultureWorks Board taught courses through the organization, "that a former student of mine, one who may not have had access to arts education, took the skills he learned in class and created an app and has plans to soon sell it. This was possible through the knowledge shared at CultureWorks. The plan is for him to take his earnings and deposit it all in a college savings account. His dedication to learning and pursuit of the skills revealed through CultureWorks programming serves as the ideal example of all we hope to accomplish."

Aside from sponsors such as Universal Mind, CultureWorks is funded through grants and individual contributions. Annual fundraising activities, such as the invitation-only October 21st event taking place at Alpen Rose in downtown Holland, are crucial to CultureWorks sustainability. "Without the sponsorships of organizations such as Universal Mind," says Morin, "and without the generosity of our other contributors, we would not be able to provide the transformative opportunities needed and appreciated by so many in our community."

Universal Mind prides itself on being a viable and responsible member of the community. With an office in Western Michigan for over a decade, the organization's roots are deeply embedded in the community. Sponsorship of CultureWorks reinforces Universal Mind's commitment to creating digital connections that redefine futures and embodies the profound partnerships that empowers outstanding performance in all endeavors. "Our relationship and support of CultureWorks," explains Ruiter, "is summed up in the core tenets of Universal Mind: we're committed to understanding, envisioning and creating impactful solutions; finding, supporting and growing the best talent and continually crafting our future."

Universal Mind is an independent, digital consulting and services firm focused on enhancing human experiences and solving problems through technology. Founded in 2003, we have over 100 strategists, designers, developers, delivery managers, and agilists located across the US and Canada who all understand that true experience design and creation - and the resulting business value - happens at the intersection of PEOPLE, BUSINESS and TECHNOLOGY. For more information visit http://www.universalmind.com.