Our Story

We aim to raise awareness and appreciation for the vital role the arts play in our communities—both spiritually and economically. Through this, we seek to remind everyone of the power that art holds in nurturing the soul, enriching culture, and supporting community well-being.

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Our journey began with a chance encounter at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Mike Kurzman, our founder, was inspired by a passionate speech from Mitch Landrieu, who at the time was the Biden Administration’s infrastructure czar. Landrieu emphasized the importance of the arts in building strong, thriving communities. Motivated by his message, Mike wrote a note that became our guiding motto: “Arts are the infrastructure for the soul.”

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Inspired by these words, Mike connected with his friend Zack Ottenstein, a designer, to develop a brand and product line centered around this idea. Zack then proposed an impactful way to bring the idea to life: donate 100% of the net proceeds from all sales to support arts organizations. This vision led to the creation of the Arts are the Infrastructure for the Soul Foundation.

Our Approach
Our foundation is committed to supporting art-based organizations, especially those that provide programs for disadvantaged youth. We raise funds in two ways:

1. Branded Merchandise Sales: We design and sell merchandise featuring our inspiring message.
2. Partnership with Nonprofits: We collaborate with arts-focused nonprofits to create fundraising programs by offering co-branded merchandise.

Throughout this process, we will continue to highlight the critical importance of the arts to humanity, culture, and communities, reminding everyone of their value with every item sold.