Perpich News
Allegra Smisek Named Executive Director of Perpich Center for Arts Education
March 26, 2025
We are happy to announce that Allegra Smisek (smee-sheck) was offered and accepted the role of executive director for Perpich Center for Arts Education after a public interview on March 25, 2025. Allegra has most recently served as Perpich’s interim executive director since November, 2024, following the retirement of Dr. Charles Rick. Her official start date as executive director will be April 1, 2025.
Allegra Smisek will be executive director of Perpich Center starting on April 1, 2025
“Serving as interim executive director of Perpich Center for Arts Education over the past few months has been the most rewarding experience of my nearly 20 years in public education,” said Smisek. “Perpich already feels like home, and I am deeply honored to continue leading in partnership with our incredible educators, students, and community.”
Smisek brings nearly two decades of experience in public education. Prior to joining Perpich, she served as director of Cradle to Career Initiatives for Goodhue County Education District and RiseUp in Red Wing, Minnesota. Her leadership bridged collaboration across six member school districts, strengthened community partnerships, and expanded youth participation in decision-making processes.
Previously, Smisek was director of Teaching and Learning/assistant superintendent for Red Wing Public Schools, where she championed equity-centered design and implemented innovative programs to support student success. She also served as assistant director of Innovation, Design & Learning for Hopkins Public Schools, where she helped develop the Hopkins E-12+ Personalized Learning Framework and launched the Collaborative Lab School in partnership with Thrive Ed and district youth.
Smisek’s commitment to student voice and educational equity also led her to serve as a school board member for Richfield Public Schools, where she played a key role in strategic planning and policy development.
She believes that art is at the heart of what makes us human. Having grown up in arts-rich environments, she has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of creative expression to foster connection, healing, and possibility.
Smisek holds Superintendent and K-12 Principal Licenses from the University of Minnesota, as well as a Master of Education in Social Studies Education and a Bachelor of Arts in History, Religion, and American Studies from St. Olaf College.
She lives in Northfield, Minnesota, with her husband, Kyle Schmidt, their daughter, Leona, and their cherished pug, Ludi. She enjoys music, civic engagement, reading, collecting digital art, and laughter.
Perpich Board Chair, Sally Grans-Korsh, said, “We are grateful that PCAE will benefit from Allegra’s past experiences as an administrator and educator in Goodhue County, Red Wing, Hopkins, and Thailand, and her experience as a school board director in Richfield. Additionally, she has a passion for music and engaging in all arts. Allegra brings vast experience to this role and her use of strategic tools and cutting-edge methodologies is impressive that will strengthen the already great work at PCAE. Since serving as our interim executive director, she is well aware of the excellent staff at all levels of PCAE. Her commitment to maximize the current strengths indicates her level of trust and appreciation for the robust history and current innovation of PCAE staff.”
Dr. Paul Hustoles, a member of the Board’s HR Committee said, “Allegra Smisek emerged as an excellent candidate from an impressive list of applicants. Her combination of administrative experience, legislative acumen, personal attributes, and dedication to arts education is exactly what we were looking for in our executive director. She has a vision and the wherewithal to carry our agency towards a very bright future.”
Rebekah Doyle, a member of the Board’s HR Committee said, “I am excited to have Allegra lead PCAE. She has a rich and broad background in education, arts, government relations, and leadership that will drive the agency’s mission forward and statewide. As Perpich’s executive director, Allegra will work collaboratively with state government, school districts, and arts organizations throughout Minnesota and with communities and businesses interested in promoting arts education. I look forward to working closely with her to enrich and enhance the strategic goals to build on the current work of the Professional Development and Resource Programs, the Arts High School, and the Arts Library. We have such great resources and Allegra will build upon that strong foundation to increase the reach and impact of the Agency to ensure Minnesota stays at the forefront of arts and education in the U.S.”
Earlier this spring, the Board’s HR committee facilitated the open and competitive application and interview process with assistance from Perpich’s HR department. Applications from across Minnesota were received for the role.
Welcome, Allegra!