Perpich Students Shine at Portfolio Day 2022

Media Arts and Visual Arts students showed their work to college experts and admissions professionals. Here, a student shows their work to an admissions professional from Cornell College in Iowa.

October 11, 2022

On Monday, October 10, students at Perpich Arts High School participated in Portfolio Day, celebrating college and career readiness. For over 20 years each October, Perpich sponsors a Portfolio Day, offered in conjunction with a national portfolio day at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Representatives from some of the most selective art schools in the country come to campus to review student portfolios.

This year, 21 institutions were on campus to connect with Perpich students. Assistant Principal and Studio Arts Chair, Rebecca Bullen, said, “It is wonderful to host such an amazing opportunity for our Perpich community. Our educators learn about programming across the country and leave better equipped to support our students. Our students benefit from practicing leadership skills and hearing about places and possibilities not previously considered. Despite their nervousness, students enjoy the ability to hear about schools and the opportunity to have a one on one conversation focused on their work. They leave inspired, with great feedback and ideas for what is possible! I am thankful for our college and organizational partnerships and the time their reps take with our students. I am also extremely grateful for our arts teachers and their work in getting our students to the place where they feel prepared to have these conversations.”

Media Arts and Visual Arts students showed their work to college experts and admissions professionals. They learned about what those colleges have to offer and if they are a good fit as a prospective student. The experts also offered some constructive criticism. Overall, participating colleges gave Perpich students high praise.

A Theater student performs a monologue for Melanie Salmon-Peterson, the Production Manager at Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins, Minnesota.

Dance students spent the afternoon with Carl Flink, Artistic Director of the dance company, Black Label Movement (Minneapolis, MN), and the Director of Dance at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Carl taught a modern dance class that emphasized improvisation and dynamics. He spoke with the students about multiple post-secondary options, including the University of Minnesota Dance program. He emphasized that students should find the program that best fits them.

Theater students spoke with Andre Williams, Admission Counselor at Cornish College, about the theater and musical theater programs offered there. They then performed monologues for two representatives from Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins: Melanie Salmon-Peterson, Production Manager, and Roy Richardson Jr., Education Associate.

Andre Williams, Admission Counselor at Cornish College in Seattle, Washington, speaks with students about the college’s offerings.

Some participating colleges from Portfolio Day had this to say about their experience at Perpich:

“I loved the energy the students brought to the sessions. They have great questions.” Minneapolis Community & Technical College

“The Perpich college fair provides opportunities for universities to keep a pulse on the students that they’ll be working with. The students are well prepared and excited to talk about their work.” School of Art – Minnesota State University Moorhead

“Perpich artists are incredibly gifted and respectful. The trip was well worth it to encourage these students to continue to pursue art!” Columbus College of Art and Design

“Perpich’s students were prepared and enthusiastic. They shared thoughtful work reflective of their talents and their voices. They asked insightful questions about our programs and seemed genuinely engaged.” Columbia College Chicago