Perpich News

Arts High School Alumni News

  • “Framed” & “Held Over Time” Alumni Exhibitions: Rediscovering the Stories Left Behind

    June 1, 2026

    A piece from the “Framed” Alumni Exhibition
    Long after students have graduated and moved on to new places, careers, and creative pursuits, pieces of their artistic journey have remained at Perpich Arts High School. Pieces hanging quietly in hallways,…

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  • James Allen Retires After 25 Years at Perpich

    May 26, 2026

    James Allen, Music Instructor

    After 25 years of service at Perpich Arts High School, Music Instructor James Allen is preparing for his final sound check — though not necessarily his final performance. Allen’s last day at Perpich will be…

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  • A Note from our Executive Director, Allegra Smisek – May 25, 2026

    May 25, 2026

    Greetings from Perpich Center for Arts Education!
    The 2026 Perpich Arts High School Graduation Ceremony on Friday, May 22 was a beautiful reflection of who our students are: courageous artists, thoughtful collaborators, and deeply authentic young people.

    Allegra Smisek, Executive…

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  • Perpich Arts High School Graduation 2026

    May 22, 2026
    The Class of 2026 took the stage at the Ames Center in Burnsville, Minnesota in a heartfelt and deeply personal graduation ceremony on May 22, 2026 that celebrated not only artistic achievement, but also community, resilience, and self-expression at Perpich Arts High…

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  • “I’m Working On It”: Taylor Gruye (Literary Arts 2008) Reflects on Work, Writing, and Resilience

    May 19, 2026
    Perpich Arts High School alum Taylor Gruye (Literary Arts 2008) has turned years of difficult jobs, strange workplace encounters, and hard-earned resilience into a new book, I’m Working On It: Still Professional After All These Years.

    Taylor Gruye (Literary…

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  • Ajay Nicholas (Visual Arts 2026) Receives Rotary Scholarship

    May 12, 2026

    Ajay Nicholas (Visual Arts 2026) has been awarded the Golden Valley Rotary Club’s Senior Scholarship, recognizing his leadership, service, and academic achievements at Perpich Arts High School.

    After graduating with honors on May 22nd, Ajay plans to attend DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois,…

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  • A Note from our Executive Director, Allegra Smisek – April 24, 2026

    April 24, 2026

    Greetings from Perpich Center for Arts Education!
    Last week, we welcomed staff from the Governor’s Office to campus. They observed a cohort of Media Arts educators from across the state learning with our Professional Development and Resource Programs team, toured our facilities, and…

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  • Student Voices Take Center Stage During Governor’s Office Visit

    April 16, 2026

    Perpich Center for Arts Education welcomed representatives from the Governor’s office to campus on April 16, 2026, for a visit that highlighted the agency’s mission, student leadership, and community engagement.
    Student leaders Ajay Nicholas (Visual Arts 2026), Jalena Gumban (Literary Arts 2026), and…

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  • Students Amplify the Power of Local Journalism at State Capitol Rally

    April 15, 2026

    On April 7, Perpich students Anais Froberg-Martinez (Literary Arts 2027) and Carlo Sucero (Media Arts 2027) stepped into Minnesota’s political spotlight at the True North News Alliance rally at the Minnesota State Capitol, joining journalists and advocates calling for greater investment in…

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