MSBA Leadership Conference Provides Great Opportunities for Perpich to Connect

January 26, 2026

Perpich Center for Arts Education had a strong presence at the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Leadership Conference January 15-16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, engaging with school board members and education leaders from across Minnesota.

Dr. Wendy Barden (right) chats with Lake City Superintendent, Ariana Wright (left).

At a booth in the exhibit hall, Perpich staff connected with district leaders to share upcoming virtual professional development opportunities, customized PD options for school districts, and a wide range of free resources available to support arts education statewide.

Amy Burge and Lindsey Schmitt share their work with Board Chair Sally Grans-Korsh and other MSBA attendees.

Perpich educators Amy Burge, Math Instructor, and Lindsey Schmitt, Visual Arts Instructor, represented the Arts High School at the MSBA School Excellence Showcase with their session, Creative Learning Across Campus and Curriculum. Their presentation highlighted how Perpich integrates exploratory and experiential learning across science, math, and the arts, using both classroom and natural campus spaces to engage creative thinkers and provide practical, transferable strategies for schools statewide.

Allegra Smisek, Max Clark-Vail, Dr. Wendy Barden, and Dr. Michael Buck following their presentation.

Later that day, Perpich’s Professional Development and Resource (PDR) team presented Turning the Tide on Chronic Absenteeism with Arts Education. The session shared statewide data showing that high schools offering three or more arts areas experience lower rates of chronic absenteeism, and explored how arts access intersects with school type and student demographics. Presenters included Allegra Smisek, Executive Director; Max Clark-Vail, Data and Leadership Specialist; Dr. Wendy Barden, Director of PDR; and Dr. Michael Buck, Music Specialist. Buck also shared how Perpich supports districts at no cost in expanding arts opportunities and boosting student engagement.

We were proud to connect with colleagues from across the state and to continue advancing Perpich’s mission to ensure students across Minnesota have access to high-quality, meaningful arts learning experiences.