Join the Rural Routes
Design Lab + Studio
Sipp Culture empowers Mississippi’s rural artists, creators, leaders, and cultural organizers to transform their communities through creativity and imagination.
Our Vision: Rooted in Community & Creativity
Here at Sipp Culture, we have been working with a diverse group of local and national artists and cultural organizers to explore the possibility of developing a site of learning and practice for rural artists in Central Mississippi.
This process birthed the idea of the Rural Routes (pronounced “roots”) Design Lab + Studio, which will support learning for artists and community members dedicated to using creativity and imagination to develop, prototype, and enact solutions to pervasive challenges in our region.
Discover Your Rural Routes
Explore the possibilities within the Rural Routes Design Lab + Studio: introductory workshops, immersive learning labs, and a transformative studio experience. Find the path that best supports your growth as a community-engaged artist.
Universal Workshop
As the entry point, the Universal Workshop in Utica, MS, provides foundational skills and collaborative frameworks, uniting participants from both the Design Lab and Studio pathways to spark initial community-engaged design thinking.
Rural Routes Design Lab
The Design Lab provides a dynamic and accessible learning environment with workshops and resources designed to build the capacity of rural artists to address local challenges creatively.
Rural Routes Design Studio
This intensive, cohort-based program supports selected artists with funding, mentorship, and resources to develop and implement their community-transforming design projects over an extended period.
Understand Your Learning Pathways
There’s no single entry point to the Rural Routes Design Lab + Studio. Begin with a focused workshop, dive into our comprehensive Design Lab Learning Pathway, or aspire to the in-depth Design Studio experience. Discover the path that aligns with your goals.
Explore the visual roadmap above to understand the different stages and how they connect. If you have questions about which path is right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Project Director for personalized guidance.
Register for the Universal Workshop (Opens May 1)
This full-day intensive workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to the Rural Routes Design Lab. In the morning, you’ll explore the power of arts and culture to transform communities, learn about different models of community-engaged art and cultural work, and brainstorm your own project ideas. In the afternoon, we’ll dive deeper into the Design Lab itself, including its vision, goals, and structure. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in a group project design critique to receive feedback on your project ideas.
Questions? Contact Saint Allen Austin (Project Director) at allen@sippcuture.com and learn more about the exciting opportunities the Rural Routes Design Lab + Studio offers artists, creators, cultural organizers and community members who use their art to transform their communities in rural Mississippi.
