The Sipp Culture Artist Relief Fund aim is to provide financial resources to independent artists in the Hinds County, MS area during the COVID-19 pandemic. While understanding that there will need to be re-envisioning of our models for financial recovery and sustainability, we strategically direct these funds to help alleviate some of the pressures being felt by cultural producers and artists that fly under the national radar.

Through our partnership with the Intercultural Leadership Institute (ILI) partners, we have launched a re-granting mechanism to provide support to approximately 1,500 artists and arts and cultural organizations of color across diverse regions of the country in the form of crisis relief grants.

This winter/spring 2021, Sipp Culture will disseminate funds to artists living and working in the following Mississippi cities/towns:

  • Bolton
  • Byram
  • Clinton
  • Crystal Springs
  • Edwards
  • Hazelhurst
  • Jackson
  • Port Gibson
  • Raymond
  • Terry
  • Utica
  • Vicksburg

PROGRAM GOALS

  • To provide immediate unrestricted relief to individual artists.
  • Offer some runway for individual artists to sustain themselves for approximately 30-90 days.
  • Offer individual artists in the Hinds County, MS area at least 30 days of security to strategize a plan for moving forward in an ever-changing new normal.

BIGGER THAN US 

Sipp Culture is able to distribute the funds through our partnerships through the Intercultural Leadership Institute (ILI), a collaborative program of Alternate ROOTS, First Peoples Fund, National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures, PA’I Foundation and Sipp Culture that promotes an intercultural approach to change-making and developing leaders within the arts and culture field. At the onset of the pandemic and the rush to disseminate funds, we as a coalition knew that the communities we serve are often overlooked and wanted to capitalize on our long relationships with one another for the collective benefit of all the communities we serve.

These Artist Relief Grants will ensure our networks of arts organizations, the artists they serve, and Indigenous cultural producers are supported with financial and technological resources to lessen the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on livelihoods and the larger arts industry. Our long-standing history, collectively and individually, as cultural organizations means we are best suited to support and keep our communities together during this time, through our personal nuanced knowledge of our people, our communities, and our cultures.

Eligibility and Preference

ELIGIBILITY

Individual Artists

  • Applicants MUST be an artist working and/ or living in Hinds County, Mississippi area or within 35 miles of Utica, MS. The cities/towns included are as follows: Utica, Edwards, Raymond, Crystal Springs, Port Gibson, Hazelhurst, Byram, Terry, Bolton, Vicksburg, Clinton, and Jackson, MS.
  • Applicants must be over the age of 18.
  • Preference will be given to those artists of color living in the designated area above and recipients who are not eligible for aid through other programs.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Please join us for an Informational /Technical Assistance Call:

  • Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 4pm – 5pm CST / 5pm – 6pm EST

HOW TO APPLY

  • Click here to APPLY NOW
  • Application deadline: March 1, 2021
  • Award Notifications: April 5, 2021

APPLICATION CRITERIA

25% Alignment with the Eligibility Requirements

25% Alignment with programs goals

25% Impact of the award to help the artist recover

25% Demonstration of Impact

 

Please see Frequently Asked Questions below.

Relief Fund FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible if I am currently a grant recipient of Sipp Culture and/or other funded program(s)?

Yes, you are eligible. Receiving support from Sipp Culture or another funding opportunity does not prohibit or influence the decision making process for this application.

How should the funds from this program need to be used?

The funds granted through Sipp Culture’s Artist Relief Program are unrestricted funds. You may use the funds as you best see fit.

Do I need to reside in Sipp Culture’s service region to apply?

Yes, applicant will need to live in one of the following areas in the State of MS  in order to apply and qualify for this program: 

Mississippi cities/towns: Utica, Edwards, Raymond, Crystal Springs, Port Gibson, Hazelhurst, Byram, Terry, Bolton, Vicksburg, Clinton, and Jackson, MS or live within 35 miles of Utica, MS.

 

Intercultural Leadership Institute Partnership Funding 

Can I apply to the other ILI organizations for funding?

YES.

May I receive funding from another ILI organization?

YES. However, there is a $20,000 cap on total awards one person or organization can receive from the combined pool of ILI funds.

What if I get funding from another ILI organization?

ILI organizations are sharing data and information on who applies and receives funding from this pool of ILI funds. If you apply to or receive funding from any ILI partner your information will be shared with other partners to ensure the $20,000 cap on funds awarded.

Key Program Dates