2023 – 2024 Friends & Donors Report
Your support of our students enables them to change their lives, and ours.
Advancing Creativity for Positive Change
The most important highlight to share about 2023-24 is the impact of your generosity on the lives of MIAD students, on the growth of our programs and on the community we serve.
Your support strengthens our resolve to provide easier access to a MIAD education to increasing numbers of students, to introduce diverse high school students to rewarding careers in design through free yearlong programming and to maintain the recognition of our academic excellence.
Thank you for joining us as we advance creativity for positive change and build a strong and bright community.
Jeffrey Morin, MIAD President
“As a Nike intern, I had the opportunity to create a tool to help bridge gaps of information and understanding in the creation and development of women’s apparel, uniting designers, material developers and other functions. [T]his tool is currently being implemented to be used and touched by hundreds of Nike business partners.
The magic of giving is what made [my Nike career] possible. My access to MIAD, my professors and my peers, is why this happened. Thank you.”
Emma May Travitz ’24 (Product Design)
Material Developer, Innovation Concept Studio Team, Nike
MIAD Youth Programs expand and set records, bolster creative pipeline →
In just 2 years, MIAD’s yearlong Design Internship Program expands exponentially to 45 high-school interns and 8 professional partners; 80% of the students are BIPOC. In 2024, a record 246 high school students attended MIAD’s Summer Pre-College Program; 46% were students of color.
Annual Fund →
Wherever you direct your Annual Fund gift, and whatever amount you generously donate, you will make a significant difference.
Legacy Giving →
A planned gift – from a will, trust, life insurance or other means – offers a flexible and often tax beneficial way to impact our future creative leaders.
Your Impact →
Your support enables MIAD to fuel our students’ promising careers, the college’s award-winning programs and Milwaukee’s creative hub. We thank you for it!
Partner with MIAD →
MIAD welcomes businesses and individuals to partner with us in a wide variety of ways, providing you with unparalleled access to unique creative experiences and outcomes in the arts.
MIAD by the numbers. 885 students enrolled. 100% of students receive financial aid, including scholarships. 35% of students self-identify as students of color. 63% of first-year students from Wisconsin are the first in their family to attend college. 37% of students are Pell-eligible (lowest income).
Donor gifts significantly increase access to MIAD’s creative, innovative education.
In 2023-24, MIAD’s 514 donors represented 23 U.S. states.
- Wisconsin Donors 87%
- Individual Donors 79%
- Corporate Donors 13%
- Foundation & Organization Donors 8%
MIAD Youth Programs expand and set records, bolster creative pipeline →
Our work in service to the community
In just 2 years, MIAD’s yearlong Design Internship Program expands exponentially to 45 high-school interns and 8 professional partners; 80% of the students are BIPOC. In 2024, a record 246 high school students attended MIAD’s Summer Pre-College Program; 46% were students of color.
PEOPLE
Welcome AICAD Fellows
The celebration continues through 2024! Join us for an upcoming event this fall, share your memories with us and learn more about the work we’re doing to advance MIAD’s creative future.
Join Us
PEOPLE
Interim VP for Academic Affairs
The celebration continues through 2024! Join us for an upcoming event this fall, share your memories with us and learn more about the work we’re doing to advance MIAD’s creative future.
Join Us
Featured Students & Alumni
News
Animation Career Review ranks MIAD Communication Design program top in state
News
Veolia North America mural highlights native plants and fish
News
Angeline Garvey: Director of Design at Stone Creek
News
MIAD interns aim high at Bucks; offer internship advice
News
Animation Career Review ranks MIAD Communication Design program top in state
News
Veolia North America mural highlights native plants and fish
News
Angeline Garvey: Director of Design at Stone Creek
News
MIAD interns aim high at Bucks; offer internship advice
News
Animation Career Review ranks MIAD Communication Design program top in state
News
Veolia North America mural highlights native plants and fish
News
Angeline Garvey: Director of Design at Stone Creek
News
MIAD interns aim high at Bucks; offer internship advice
News
Animation Career Review ranks MIAD Communication Design program top in state
News
Veolia North America mural highlights native plants and fish
News
Angeline Garvey: Director of Design at Stone Creek
News
MIAD interns aim high at Bucks; offer internship advice
News
‘GQ Rebranded’ series is a hit for MIAD alum’s new studio
When Justin Thomas Kay ’04 (Communication Design) opened his own studio, JTK Studio, Inc., in New York City early this year, he hoped that his work “would contribute positively to helping to make things look nicer and more enjoyable and speak honestly to people broadly.” The new GQ Sports series “GQ Rebranded” turned out to be a good fit to do just that.
MIAD student support system receives national SMILE Award
Choose Mental Health, the national voice for children’s mental health, named the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) the 2024 SMILE Award–Organization Winner for the college’s commitment to promoting mental health and well-being among its students.
Senior’s passion for Illustration and Natural Sciences thrives at MIAD
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) senior Lilly Zbiegien’s two passions – Illustration and Natural Sciences – flourished at an early age and have continued through college. Recently Zbiegien presented her Natural Science Independent Study research, “Junkyard Nests,” showing not only the impact of plastic pollution on birds, but also her skill in portraying the environment through Illustration.
Reducing food insecurity at MIAD’s People’s Pantry
Students, staff and faculty at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) are addressing short-term food insecurity on campus with direct action. One of the college’s newest resources, the People’s Pantry, provides free food for anyone in the MIAD community who needs a meal, no questions asked.
Intergenerational sharing as knowledge building at MIAD
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) instructor Hj Bullard continued a longstanding collaboration with House of History this semester in their First-Year Experience “Community Connections” class.