Proposed Web site CultureU would publicize students’ creative work

Watch out photographers, fashion designers, music artists and writers – the competition at IU is about to get hot.  

CultureU, a networking Web site for students with creative works, will be up and running later this fall and will allow students to post their artistic works for cash, prizes and exposure for future employment.

Senior lecturer at the Kelley School of Business Richard Schrimper, original founder and investor of the Web site, said his idea for the site came in 2004 when he was observing the opportunities that came with exposure on the Internet.

“I realized there was an opportunity to do something cool with the content and hobbies and interests of students,” Schrimper said.

He said he wanted to create a Web site where students could post their creations and collaborate on projects.

“We could build an online community through these students from around the nation,” he said.

Schrimper plans on giving 50 percent of the profits to scholarships for students.  

“There’s a new interesting phrase called ‘social entrepreneurship,’ which is the idea that capitalism is a good thing, but the question is, ‘What do you do with those profits?’” he said. “We’re not trying to milk all the pennies out.”

Schrimper added he envisions the Web site having contests and awards for excellence.

“We would have a poetry contest and the poet selected would win, for example, $2,500,” he said.   

Schrimper said he has talked about the Web site idea with his classes each year, asking for student interest.

Since winter 2008, IU students junior Matt De Leon, junior Brian Bollinger and sophomore Russell Conard have been working together to make final decisions for the site.

Bollinger said CultureU is unique because it’s made by college students and for college students.  

“Only college students can upload work and create portfolios,” Bollinger said. “This Web site is initially targeting IU, and if you have an ‘.edu’ e-mail address, you can upload your work for free.”

Bollinger said he hopes the site will expand to college campuses across the nation.

Conard said he likes the idea of creating a company to help artistic students in the job market.

“The goal is to be able to create a Web site which will function not only as a showcase but will actually enable them to be more competitive in the job market post-graduation,” Conard said.

Conard said CultureU organizers will be in partnership with other campus organization leaders, but the Web site itself functions as a company and not a student organization.

Conard said he wants to keep the company based at IU after he and his coworkers graduate.

Schrimper said he wants journalism students to contribute to the site as well.

“I would love for journalists to have a platform, a place for students to write letters to the editor, and newspapers to post their best articles,” Schrimper said. “Why let it linger? Why not put it out there? If it’s good, let’s share it with other people.”