Crain's Grand Rapids Business: Youth film nonprofit plots national growth with support from Sony, Newman’s Own Foundation

A Grand Rapids-based nonprofit plans to grow to new heights with a new $100,000 gift from Sony Electronics and a partnership with the foundation formed by the late actor Paul Newman. 

Started by Skot Welch in 2012, Mosaic Film Experience will use the $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in equipment from Sony Electronics to extend a program to Muskegon this summer that works with underserved high school students. The program works with students to produce and edit short videos to teach them creative, critical and analytical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.  

Mosaic Film Experience, which also will work with the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, was one of five recipients nationwide that Sony Electronics selected in December via its Create Action Grant Program for 2024-25. 

In partnership with Westport, Conn.-based Newman’s Own Foundation, Mosaic Film Experience will extend its programming to five cities across the U.S., giving the nonprofit a greater reach and visibility in new markets. The foundation also gave Mosaic a $125,000 grant.