
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE PROGRAMS
Highly experienced arts specialists at Perpich Center are available to work with teachers and administrators across Minnesota. Through networking and professional learning, educators are primed to increase their knowledge, skills, and toolbox of arts-focused resources to improve student success.
Our professional development staff provides district, school, and one-on-one support statewide in the arts including arts instruction and assessment, curriculum development, district arts programming, standards implementation, and other professional development needs. Programs, workshops, and conferences focus on relevant arts education topics to support educator growth and expertise.
Our goal in Professional Development and Resource Programs is to build teacher and administrator capacity statewide so they can provide innovative, inclusive, standards-based, measurable, and student-centered learning in and through the arts. To reach this goal, our programming priorities include:
- Addressing teacher isolation and building communities of belonging;
- Shifting paradigms and practices in Arts education;
- Collaborating for anti-racism/equity/social justice.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS & DISTRICT LEADERS
Comprehensive Arts Planning Program (CAPP) – The CAPP Program provides assistance to selected public school districts as they design three-year, strategic plans for K-12 arts education programs. CAPP provides financial and technical assistance to support the strategic planning process through workshops, site visits, and resource materials.
Regional Centers – The Regional Center’s program provides professional development and leadership opportunities to Minnesota teachers through our Regional Arts Teacher-Leader Network, Demonstration Schools, and Regional Workshops.
State Arts Education Specialists:
Dance Education Specialist – Supports dance educators with standards implementation, curriculum, instruction, and assessment in the K-12 classroom through workshops, classroom visits, and other professional development opportunities. The Dance Specialist also supports physical education and general education teachers with bringing movement into their classrooms.
Music Education Specialist – Serves the work of Minnesota music educators and administrators through dynamic regional workshops, classroom visits, consultation, and professional development customized to their school or district needs.
Theater Education Specialist – Advances the work of theater education in Minnesota by supporting theater teachers, directors, English Language Arts teachers, elementary generalists, and others in standards implementation, curriculum development, and assessment through classroom visits, regional workshops, theater partnerships, mentorships, and more.
Visual & Media Arts Education Specialist – Provides professional development, curriculum development, standards implementation, and more to assist in the advancement of visual and media arts programs in schools across Minnesota.
Professional Development Digital Resources – Click here for resources that have been collected or created to support distance and e-learning development.
Arts Licensing Input Opportunities
Perpich Center, MDE, and PELSB are preparing for upcoming rulemaking regarding arts licensure. We are looking for your feedback along the way. Please review the links below and contact max.clark@pcae.k12.mn.us with any questions.
Resources
Arts Licensing Update Memorandum
Steering Committee Pros & Cons (Dance & Theater)
Steering Committee Pros & Cons (Media Arts)
Steering Committee Pros & Cons (Music)
Survey Links (deadline October 19th):
Info Sessions
Held between September 22nd and October 5th. See the Perpich calendar for specific dates and times.

following Academic standards
Professional Development staff have expertise with Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in all arts areas as well as interdisciplinary arts education. We can be instrumental in helping you implement the academic standards.
Minnesota Arts Education Organizations Community Calendar
Welcome to the Minnesota’s Arts Education Organizations Community Calendar!
Each organization serves member-educators in their respective arts area—dance, theater, music, visual and media arts.
Minnesota Arts Education organizations have shared this information about meetings, events, and professional development opportunities. Some events may be for specified participants, while others may require membership in the organization and/or a registration fee. A link to more detailed information is included with each event.
Do you know of an event hosted by a Minnesota Arts Education organization that others should know about, too? Click here to submit an event form.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE PROGRAMS PHOTO GALLERY
PERPICH NEWS
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James Allen Retires After 25 Years at Perpich
May 26, 2026
James Allen, Music InstructorAfter 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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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… -
“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…



