As part of Arts for Everybody, a national campaign from One Nation/One Project (ONOP) is working in partnership with the Town of Utica, Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Centers, and the Mississippi Center for Cultural Production (Sipp Culture). 

Utica residents are launching a series of initiatives considering the culture of food in the history, contemporary life, and future of Utica – agriculture, family meals, food access, shared stories, and more. These initiatives will culminate in the Homegrown Utica Festival on July 27, 2024 celebrating our relationship with food and the power of working together in community.

TEACHING ARTIST RESIDENCY: The ONOP Utica Community Advisory Group is inviting proposals for a teaching artist residency at the Utica Elementary/Middle School. Artists will work with  students to co-design and produce art  which may blend or range from sculpture, mural, visual art exhibition, and installation. Works may be temporary or permanent. The primary work of the residency will take place from February 15, 2024 to April 12, 2024 with the outcome of the residency displayed or represented at  Homegrown Utica Fest July 27, 2024.

Artists will receive direct funding of $10,000 paid in three installments; 50% at commitment, 25% May 1st, and 25% following completion at Homegrown Utica Fest. Award amount is inclusive of all associated expenses including materials, artist fees, and travel costs. For applicants residing in areas too far for daily travel, housing accommodations are not included and must be secured by the applicant and detailed in their application.

This opportunity is for artists living in Louisiana and Mississippi. 

Sipp Culture and the ONOP Utica Community Advisory Group (CAG) have partnered with Utica Elementary/Middle School to present this residency. Support for the artist in this work will be provided by Cultural Strategist daniel johnson, 4th grade Math teacher and CAG member Kayla McDonald, and K-8 Art teacher Coach Hawkins. Principal Tullos has made a classroom available for the artist during the residency and through to the festival if project storage for the festival is necessary. 

Key planning dates for this project will occur between January 24, 2024 and February 15, 2024. This period is for shaping the details of the accepted proposal with the art teacher and school and for coordinating classroom space and stocking/organizing needed materials. Calendar coordination regarding key moments in the project will also occur during this time. Selected artist will be required to complete a criminal background check as required by the Hinds County School District.

Proposed projects can be in the form of a single large work, multiple works, or curriculum considerations which would be explored over the length of the residency. The products of the residency must be displayed or have some expression at Homegrown Utica Fest July 27, 2024.

Only one school residency will be awarded.

Artists who are best positioned for successful proposals have a track record of working collaboratively to make local stories and visions visible. Competitive proposals will consider the students creative experience, ways in which the artwork is present or has an expression at the July 27th festival, and the lasting impact of the work in the Town of Utica.