Cultural Production Title

DigiCulture Lab

DigiCulture Lab Header

DigiCulture Lab is a program of the Mississippi Center for Cultural Production designed to introduce Utica, MS community members – especially youth – to digital documentation and storytelling as a tool for engaging more deeply in the place they call home.

Centering rural experience and family oral histories, the program provides training, mentoring, and access to camera equipment, editing software, audio production skills, and ongoing coaching – all to teach narrative-based storytelling and join generations in support of the community’s legacy for the future.

“The younger generation grew up with technology, and the older generations have the stories, the history of this place, and vital agricultural knowledge for thriving here. We have an opportunity to bring it all together for new digital narratives that help our community create the Utica to come. At the same time, we can share the content we create – our community story – beyond the physical boundaries of our town.”

– Carlton Turner, co-director Sipp Culture

DigiCulture Lab participants getting ready to use camera equipment
Students from 2019 pilot program get familiar with the camera equipment they will use in their storytelling projects

Like everything at Sipp Culture, DigiCulture Lab combines storytelling, agriculture, and inspired creativity. By naming this effort a “lab,” we are intentionally creating space for experimentation. The programming will have solid foundations, but will not be formulaic. Its dynamic offerings will be informed by the needs of the participants and the community.

The lens of food and story is a natural entry point for people to engage with cultural learning and creativity. We see DigiCulture Lab having a home base for training & technology on Main Street in Utica with a focus on summer intensive programming. We also plan for extended learning that brings the program into local schools and connects learners with the Sipp Culture Community Farm, Main Street Cultural Center community kitchen, and White Oak artist residency space for broader experiences.

NEW SUMMER PROGRAM 2025!

In 2025, with the expansion of Sipp Culture’s footprint on Main Street, DigiCulture Lab can have dedicated physical space to make more advanced technology and support for making high-quality content accessible. 

For 2025, our vision includes:

  • School-based lab with resident artist to preview the summer program and engage students
  • Summer Intensive Program starting July 2025
  • Open Lab time for community members to develop content and get support
  • Fall Film Festival of material created through the program

Interested? Sign Up to Get Updates:

Sipp Culture launched a pilot DigiCulture Lab in 2019 as a youth summer intensive. For 3 weeks, 12 youth and 8 adult mentors shared knowledge and gained experience in gardening, food prep, storytelling, and digital production. Watch the video below for more!

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