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Arts & Entertainment

Ellison Advocates for Arts Education at Perpich

Representative Keith Ellison was on hand at Perpich Monday night to hand out awards and to send a message about the importance of art in schools.

Art and politics came together at the on Monday night.

Congressman Keith Ellison announced the winners of the 5th Congressional Art Awards.

Each spring, high school students from the local district compete for the honor of having their artwork displayed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

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During the Arts Education Forum, Congressman Keith Ellison spoke about the importance of arts education and the danger to such programs by the need to reconcile budgets.

“We don’t want arts to be the first things to be cut,” said Ellison. "I’m committed to
the arts for the long-term in the 5th district--as long as I am here.”

Later in the evening Ellison brought up a proposal at the State Capitol to cut funding for the Perpich Center for Arts Education and turn the facility into a charter school. 

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“Art is essential to our future leaders of tomorrow, “said Ellison. He urged his “art constituency" to lobby against the proposed cuts.

A total of 48 students from 15 schools in the 5th district submitted artwork.

Jamie Piekarcyck from St. Anthony Village High School took first place with her chalk pastel of the front end of her dad’s 1972 Plymouth Duster, and her artwork will be on display at the United States Capitol.

Yvonne Aberg from was awarded second place. Her creation will be displayed in the congressman’s D.C. office.

Madeline Bertch from FAIR School Downtown came in third place. Her painting will be hung in Ellison’s district office in Minneapolis.

As for the Perpich's future?  The school says it has support from both DFLers and Republicans in the state legislature and isn't pushing the panic button yet.  No budget agreement has been made, and the school says when it has, they'll address the situation.

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