Professional Development & Research Programs

The Perpich Center for Arts Education serves educators and students throughout Minnesota – in urban, suburban and rural areas.  By helping educators and community leaders create innovative, student-focused arts curricula and experiences, the Center provides students the opportunity to develop and integrate their artistic and academic abilities to their highest potential.

The Annual Dance Summit convenes dance educators and teaching artists for a full day of professional development workshops followed by the Dance Summit Cabaret featuring student work.

The Perpich Arts Integration Project – a new initiative to increase student achievement through arts integration.

Arts and Schools as Partners provides artists and educators with ongoing, job-embedded professional development through grants, individualized coaching, workshops, and other resources.

Arts Courses for Educators are two-year programs that train teacher teams to integrate dance, media, or theater arts into their school curriculum. School teams from throughout Minnesota apply for and receive grants to support their school’s participation.

The center develops Collaborative Conferences on contemporary issues with other organizations on an ongoing basis.

The Comprehensive Arts Planning Program provides funding and technical assistance to arts education leaders, enabling them to develop five-year plans for achieving arts education goals and objectives in schools and communities.

Minnesota Scholars of Distinction in Theater Arts recognizes excellence in Minnesota’s top theater students.

Music Education resources for Minnesota music teachers.

With funding and technical support from the Perpich Center, pARTner schools provide extended and advanced learning opportunities for students, and become regional resources for arts learning.

In partnership with the Minneapolis Public Schools, Artful Online offers a collection of online professional development resources to arts educators.