The Rural Performance / Production Lab (RPPL) is a creative production process which supports the development of new art rooted in rural living, history, places, and bodies. Pronounced “ripple”, the intent is for artist voices to act as catalysts for broad community change. Through four categories, RPPL artists receive direct funding or a configuration of an on-site residency, coaching and support from a dedicated team of advisors over an 18-month period in addition to the direct funding. Awards range from $3500 – $15,000.
This opportunity is for artists living in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Sipp Culture is able to provide rehearsal space, housing, planning support and can participate as a partner and consultant in the realization of bringing new Southern rural stories to the field. We offer each artist a residency, which is tailor-made to fit their developmental needs.
The RPPL residency program is best positioned to support artists transitioning from one place in their career trajectory into another self-defined place. This “transitional” label is a more apt fit than emerging or established, veteran artists, or the commissioning of new work. We are in a time that calls for change, both structural and intentional. Artists are built to adapt. Our residency program is designed to aid in that transition.
Our community is grounded in the aesthetics of Black Southern rural culture bearers. Their imprint can be found on every community throughout the south in the forms of architecture, music, spiritual practices, cuisine, the movement of bodies, and in the verbal and spatial language of freedom. Sipp Culture centers the voices and experiences of people of color, specifically Black people in the rural South. Our work uplifts stories to complicate prevailing rural narratives.
RPPL will provide a limited number of full residencies, which provide three consecutive weeks of housing and retreat space for the artist to dream and manifest their work. Additionally, some artists that apply may be offered the opportunity to come for a week. Each RPPL residency covers travel and food costs, as well as fresh seasonal produce from the Sipp Culture Community Farm
Key Dates
We are beyond thrilled to express that there is an unexpectedly large number of application submissions. As a result, the application review process is being extended and influences the finalist notification dates. We have adjusted the timeline accordingly. We appreciate your patience as this adjustment is an integral part of the application process. Thank you and we will keep you updated on any pertinent changes.
Application Opens – January 23, 2023
Info/Technical Assistant Call – February 15, 2023 at 4pm CST JOIN HERE!
Application Closes – March 6, 2023
Notifications of Finalist Interviews – May 9, 2023
Finalists Interviews – Mid-May 2023
Final Award Notifications – June 1, 2023
We are selecting artists from this process to be in residence with Sipp Culture during the following seasons:
Open Residency Dates
Summer 2023 – July 5, 2023 – August 31, 2023
Fall 2023 – September 10, 2023 – November 11, 2023
Winter 2024 – January 22, 2024 – March 2, 2024
- Eligibility – 20%
- Artist must 18 years or older
- Resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Tennessee
- Able to attend a consecutive three-week residency in Utica, Mississippi
- Alignment with program goals – 20%
- Is the applicant a rural artist(s) creating work telling their communities narratives regionally or nationally? Shifting those narratives via artistic expressions using media and any range of performance and/or production including film, live performance, writing, visual arts, music, etc.? (not limited to listed disciplines)
- Applicant’s creative body of work and approach to the work – 20%
- Is the artist’s work and approach to the work in alignment with Sipp Culture’s mission. What is the artist’s approach to the work? Who do the artists create and do their work with?
- Project proposed for residency – 20%
- What is the project the artist wants to work on during the residency? Who would attend the residency? What stage is the work in and is the work appropriate for a residency at Sipp Culture?
- Impact on the career trajectory of applicant – 20%
- At the juncture of the applicant’s career, would the residency support the artist to transition to a new place in their career, artistically, financially or otherwise?
What is an artist residency?
Artist residency programs offer the artist(s) the opportunity to live and work outside of their usual environment, providing them with dedicated time to reflect, connect, produce work, research, rehearse, rest, pontificate and maybe even showcase an excerpt of one’s work during their stay.
When will my residency take place? Do I get to help choose the date?
The actual residency dates are part of a conversation between the artist and Sipp Culture. We ask that you select dates within the following windows of time that you are available. Although this is a conversation, Sipp Culture will make the final decision.
Residency Date Options
Summer 2023 – July 5, 2023 – August 31, 2023
Fall 2023 – September 10, 2023 – November 11, 2023
Winter 2024 – January 22, 2024 – March 2, 2024
Do I need to do all 3 weeks of the residency time awarded?
Yes. This funding opportunity is centered around supporting artists’ work through providing the artist with residency space and time. Should the artist accept the RPPL award, the intention is for the artist to complete their full residency. Residency time is curated by the RPPL category awarded.
Categories
Next Up Artists – direct funding only
Visiting Artists – direct funding plus One (1) week residency
Artist In Residence – direct funding plus Three (3) weeks residency
Community Impact Artist – direct funding plus ongoing residency activities across the RPPL 2023-24 residency cycle
Does the 3 week residency time need to be consecutive?
Yes. The White Oak Artist Residency operates year-round and the RPPL program is one of many programs that are housed at the White Oak space. We have created dedicated windows of time to offer RPPL residencies while making sure to still honor the various needs of the space for other uses.
How many people can the residency accompany in the living quarters?
We can accommodate from up to 6 people depending on the configuration of the group (ex.: meaning if it is a couple/family working together, potentially if members of the group approve rooming together, etc.). We have a total of three bedrooms (2 separate rooms each with 2 twin beds, 1 room with a queen bed).
Where will I live? Describe the place?
The Sipp Culture Office and Artist residency is housed in a two-story 1920s renovated home located in Utica, MS on approximately 1.5 acres of rural land, 32 miles southwest of Jackson, MS. The house comes with 3 bedrooms & 3 full baths, a fully furnished kitchen, access to 500 sq ft of raised garden beds (produce pending the growing season), washer/dryer, access to media lab, Wi-Fi, studio space and parking. If additional technical and alternative space is needed, this is negotiated during each artist’s residency design sessions.
What if I am not comfortable doing an in person residency due to Covid-19?
The Rural Performance / Production Lab is a residency program. Each RPPL resident artist’s residency time will be designed with the resident artist, a team of advisors and Sipp Culture staff. As part of the design, all necessary factors will be considered and safety protocols will be implemented.
If it is a group application, does the award amount change?
No.
Preference will be given to rural artists and artists who have not received a residency with Sipp Culture before. Rural community is defined as 50,000 people or less in your residence municipality.
The Rural Production Performance Lab is supported by funding from the Mellon Foundation and the Ford Foundation
