Perpich News

executive director

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

    July 24, 2026

    Greetings from Perpich Center for Arts Education!
    Summertime at Perpich is energizing. Our campus is alive with creativity as young artists discover new passions through summer camps, educators from across Minnesota gather to learn and grow together, and our staff uses this season…

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  • A Note from our Executive Director, Allegra Smisek – June 26, 2026

    June 26, 2026

    Greetings from Perpich Center for Arts Education!
    This month, we welcomed nearly 60 students in grades 6 through 10 to campus for the first week of Perpich Summer Camp. Throughout the week, our studios, rehearsal spaces, and classrooms buzzed with creativity as students…

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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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  • 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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  • A Note from our Executive Director, Allegra Smisek – March 27, 2026

    March 27, 2026

    Greetings from Perpich Center for Arts Education!
    March has been an active month at the Capitol, with several opportunities to share the work of the Perpich Center for Arts Education and strengthen relationships with legislative partners.

    Allegra Smisek, Executive Director

    Earlier…

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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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  • A Note from our Executive Director, Allegra Smisek – January 23, 2026

    January 23, 2026

    Greetings from Perpich Center for Arts Education!
    The past weeks have been heavy for Minnesota and for many of the communities we serve. The fatal shootings in Minneapolis involving federal agents have shaken our region and raised deep concerns about the safety and…

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  • Bridging Cultures Through Education and the Arts

    July 28, 2025

    Last month, I had the extraordinary honor of representing Perpich Center for Arts Education and the State of Minnesota as part of an education delegation to China. Sponsored by the Chinese government and the Confucius Institute of Minnetonka, the trip brought together…

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  • Allegra Smisek Named Executive Director of Perpich Center for Arts Education

    March 26, 2025

    We are happy to announce that Allegra Smisek (smee-sheck) was offered and accepted the role of executive director for Perpich Center for Arts Education after a public interview on March 25, 2025. Allegra has most recently served as Perpich’s interim executive director…

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