Arts High School News

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  Theater Students Visit Chicago for 2026 National Unified Auditions

  March 3, 2026

  The Perpich students and instructors at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago

  Every February, inside the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, the theater departments of several dozen colleges converge to hold the National Unified Auditions, a make-or-break, do-or-die audition…

  
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  Curtis Sittenfeld, Bestselling Author, Visits with Literary Arts Students

  February 25, 2026

  When acclaimed novelist Curtis Sittenfeld visited Literary Arts students on February 25, 2026 for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, research, and rejection, she offered a candid look at what it really takes to build a literary career.

  From the start, Sittenfeld emphasized that…

  
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  Literary Arts Celebrates the 2026 Midwest Region Scholastic Writing Awards

  February 25, 2026

  Perpich Literary Arts students and staff are celebrating a year of Scholastic Awards hard work and success! We are very pleased to announce the 2026 Midwest Region Scholastic Writing Awards! Congratulations to the Perpich Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention award…

  
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  Walz, Flanagan Announce Appointments to Perpich Board

  February 23, 2026
  Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced two new appointments and one reappointment to the Perpich Center for Arts Education Board of Directors. Joining the Board are: Jeimmy Yusty-Rojas and Elizabeth Winslow. Reappointed to the Board is: Paul Hustoles.
  The Board…

  
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  Perpich Studio Arts Presents “Making Meaning”: Student Curriculum Exhibition and Media Arts Screening, “Beyond the Classroom Exhibition”, “After Hours: Faculty & Staff Exhibition”

  February 20, 2026

  Perpich Studio Arts students presented multiple exhibitions on Thursday, February 19, 2026 during the closing exhibition for “Making Meaning”: Student Curriculum Exhibition and Media Arts Screening.

  “Making Meaning” featured artwork by every Studio Arts student at Perpich during their 2nd quarter. The artwork…

  
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  A Note from our Executive Director, Allegra Smisek – February 20, 2026

  February 20, 2026

  Greetings from Perpich Center for Arts Education!
  February is always an important month for advocacy at Perpich, and this year is no exception. As the Minnesota Legislature begins its capital investment discussions, we are actively engaging with lawmakers to ensure our campus remains…

  
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  Picture Books by Black Authors and Illustrators from Perpich Library

  February 19, 2026

  It’s Black History Month and now, more than ever, it’s important that we learn about the past so that our present world can be put into its proper context. Because picture books are an excellent way to teach and learn about history…

  
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  Bates Dance Festival Director, Natalie Gotter, Connects with Perpich Dancers

  February 18, 2026

  Perpich dance students welcomed a special guest to the studio on February 18th: Natalie Gotter, Director of Training Programs at the Bates Dance Festival (BDF). Gotter, who grew up in Apple Valley, now oversees faculty and class curation, as well as the overall…

  
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  Perpich Students Welcome French/UK duo Bert and Nasi to Artist Talk

  February 6, 2026

  Perpich students in Dance, Theater, and Musical Theater, along with their instructors, attended the February 5th performance of Bert and Nasi: L’Addition at the Walker Art Center’s McGuire Theater. The following day, Bert and Nasi (Bertrand Lesca & Nasi Voutsas) visited Perpich…