This bill proposes the closure of the Perpich Center for Arts Education by June 30, 2027, transitioning its funding model to a pupil-based system for two years prior to its closure. It amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes, removing references to the Perpich Center and establishing a new division within the Department of Education called the Lola and Rudy Perpich Arts Education Division. This division will provide arts support services to school districts and enhance arts education opportunities statewide. The new funding mechanism will allow the Center to receive state aid based on student enrollment and average general fund revenue for school districts, with the effective date for many provisions set for June 30, 2027, and the funding mechanism starting on July 1, 2025.

Additionally, the bill outlines the process for the transition, including the retention of the Center's powers until its closure, the transfer of unspent appropriations to the original fund, and the transfer of the Perpich Arts Library's property to the State Library Services Division. It also mandates the transfer of student education records in accordance with existing statutes. The bill includes provisions for appropriations to the Department of Education for arts-related educational purposes and establishes a funding program for arts education, providing $1,250 annually for two years to selected sites, contingent upon the submission of a long-range plan for arts education. The bill emphasizes the importance of equitable representation in arts education across various districts and outlines specific criteria for site selection and applicant evaluation for the Center's high school program.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 43A.08, 122A.416, 123A.30, 124D.05, 297A.70