2023 – 2024 Friends & Donors Report
Your support of our students enables them to change their lives, and ours.
Our vision is to be a galvanized educational and creative community, addressing universal needs through our thought, design and expression. Each year we share with you highlights of our college community’s amazing achievements and acknowledge our generous supporters who help ignite curious minds through art, design and service.
Interested in making a gift to this year’s MIAD Annual Fund? Donate here.
Five-Year Strategic Plan
Advancing Our Creative Future
2024 – 2029 Strategic Plan
MIAD’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan embraces the college’s values in service to our students and our greater Milwaukee Community. The plan – Advancing Our Creative Future – amplifies MIAD’s people, programs and place to ensure our college’s ability to adapt to and thrive in changing educational and technology landscapes while advancing its long tradition of education excellence.
People
Succeeding Together
Key Initiatives
- Strengthen our Community both within and beyond the college
- Increase Student Success: retention, academic progress and graduation rate
Programs
Preparing 21st Century Professionals
Key Initiatives
- Enhance Institutional Financial Sustainability by optimizing and diversifying programs
- Leverage Institutional Technology and Digital Assets to prepare 21st century creatives & professionals
Place
Building Community
Key Initiatives
- Implement the Facilities Master Plan
- Implement the Sustainability Plan
- Expand Student Housing
(Updated January 2025)
Accreditation
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) is a private, non-profit corporation chartered by the State of Wisconsin for the purpose of providing a professional education to students of the visual arts and related design fields. The college offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Communication Design, Illustration, Industrial Design (Product Design), Interior Architecture and Design and New Studio Practice: Fine Arts.
MIAD is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), (info@hlcommission.org, 800-621-7440).
The Wisconsin State Approving Agency under Title 38, US Code, approves the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree of MIAD for the training of veterans for federal veterans’ education benefits.
HEERF Grant Reports
MIAD is eligible to receive funds under Section 18004(a)(1) and 18004(a)(2) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
View Reports
02077100_HEERF_Q22022_070622_FINAL
02077100_HEERF_Q12022_040722
CARES Act Grant Report – Student Emergency Funds – ARP – 123121 FINAL
02077100_HEERF_Q42021_010522
CARES Act Grant Report – Student Emergency Funds – ARP – 093021
02077100_HEERF_Q32021_100721
CARES Act Grant Report Q2 – 2021-0630
CARES Act Grant Report – Student Emergency Funds – CRRSSA – 03/31/21 FINAL
CARES Act Grant Report Qtr Ended – 03/31/21
CARES Act Grant Report Qtr Ended – 12/31/20 REVISED
CARES Act Grant Report Qtr Ended – 12/31/20
CARES Act Grant Report Qtr Ended – 9/30/2020
CARES Act Grant Report – Student Emergency Funds – 09/30/20 FINAL
CARES Act Grant Report – 09/30/2020
CARES Act Grant Report – 08/07/2020
CARES Act Grant Report – 06/24/2020
CARES Act Grant Report – 05/20/2020
News
Fashion students design adaptive clothing for Independence First
For the second year in a row, Fashion and Apparel Design students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) worked with Independence First to design adaptive clothing tailor-made for two people who use wheelchairs. The project is part of a junior-level Patternmaking & Construction course.
MIAD Values Recognition Award: Nichole Uecker
Nichole Uecker, Student Accessibility Coordinator, received the October 2025 MIAD Values Recognition Award at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Nichole’s nominations highlighted her embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Community, Inclusion and Kindness.
Personal and professional passion inspire Product Design student
When senior Carmen Briones’ mother was diagnosed with breast cancer during Briones’ sophomore year at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), finding a bra that was comfortable with a medical port became an additional challenge. Briones ’26 (Product Design) answered that challenge in her Design for Human Interface class by designing a product that reduces pain while increasing mobility.
Toy design at Squishmallows: MIAD student develops confidence
When she first got the internship offer from Squishmallows at Jazwares, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) senior Melody Frias ’26 (Communication Design and Illustration) thought she was in shock. Months after the internship concluded, Frias still reads that email when she needs a boost.
Collections Spotlight: Helen Hoppin
Not only is the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) home to two formal gallery spaces hosting numerous external exhibitions, the college also boasts its own large collection focusing on work produced by founders and early students.