Giving Circles
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design offers three giving circles to provide special recognition to you – our generous donors.
“I would like to say thank you for investing in my education and my future as a creative. I would love to give back to the community and use my skills and passions to make the world a better place.”
Kelsey Robinson ’21 (Illustration)
Multimedia artist, Emmy-award-winning Cynosure Creative Agency
Sustainers Circle (Recurring automatic giving)
MIAD’s Sustainers Circle acknowledges the generosity of donors who automatically support the college on a continuous basis. By establishing a recurring monthly gift, your donation has a great impact on MIAD. Recurring gifts can be counted on for long-term planning. Plus, it’s one less thing you have to remember each year and you can select the terms of your gift!
Sustainers Circle contribution: Recurring automatic monthly gift of any amount
Sustainers Circle benefits:
- Make a big impact with small gifts over time to maximize your support for MIAD
- Easy and flexible option for you to support MIAD, which allows you to budget and schedule preferences. You can change your gift at any time by contacting MIAD’s Institutional Advancement office.
- It’s convenient and sustainable, plus once you sign up for a recurring gift you will not receive another Annual Fund solicitation. A summary of your tax-deductible gifts will be mailed to you each January for the previous year.
- Special recognition in MIAD’s annual report.
Join the Sustainers Circle gift today with a recurring gift.
President’s Circle ($1,000+)
MIAD’s President’s Circle was founded to support the college’s scholarship and special programs while providing members with unique opportunities to engage with the MIAD community and fellow believers in MIAD’s mission to ignite curious minds through art, design and service.
President’s Circle contribution: $1,000
President’s Circle benefits:
- Admission for four to the Preview Night’s VIP Reception of the annual MIAD Holiday Sale.
- Special Recognition at the annual Scholarship Luncheon, where you may meet the students supported by your generosity.
- A private tour of the Senior Exhibition (or other gallery exhibition) with President Jeff Morin. Contact Institutional Advancement to schedule.
- An invitation to the annual President’s Circle Reception.
- Inclusion in special communications from the President.
- 20% discount on Continuing Education classes.
Innovation Circle ($10,000+)
Innovation Circle members help our college President capture special opportunities to further our vision to be a galvanized educational and creative community, addressing universal needs through our thought, design and expression.
Innovation Circle contribution: $10,000
Innovation Circle benefits include all of the above plus:
- A MIAD Scholarship(s) in the name of your choosing.
- Admission for six to the Preview Night’s VIP Reception of the annual MIAD Holiday Sale.
- An invitation to attend the annual President’s Circle breakfast.
- Opportunities to visit the studios or businesses of well-known local artists and designers who are MIAD alumni or faculty.
Become an Innovation Circle member today!
Contact Tracy Milkowski, Vice President of Development and Communications, at 414‑847‑3239 or tracymilkowski@miad.edu for more information.
MIAD is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Gifts may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you have any questions about contributing to MIAD, please contact Anne Kirschmann at 414‑847‑3238, or annekirschmann@miad.edu.
News
La Mère Brazier: Phoebe Nelson Senior Exhibition 2025
Phoebe Nelson ’25 (Illustration) came to the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to study children’s book illustration. Now at the end of her senior year, she is writing and illustrating a children’s book about Eugénie Brazier, the first person to get six Michelin stars, for her Senior Exhibition project.
MIAD Independent Inquiry Program launches with three student grants
Galilea Cerdea ’26, Tina Voith ’26 and Madi Weglarz ’25 are the first three Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students selected to receive Independent Inquiry Program stipends to investigate new technologies and their applicability to art and design education. As first-time applicants, each receives a stipend of $1,200 for a six-week Mini Inquiry this summer.
Grilled Cheese grants propel MIAD seniors
Funds from the annual Grilled Cheese Grant helped Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) awardees Siren Harris, Yo Yo collective and Madi Weglarz complete their 2025 Senior Exhibition projects and future work. All the MIAD awardees are Fine Art + New Studio Practice seniors.
Sebastian Penn: Senior Exhibition 2025
Sebastian Penn ’25 (Animation Track in Illustration), “From Home to Legacy: Black and Queer Bars in Milwaukee.” Sebastian is a President’s (Honor) List student from Holman, Wis.
McKenna Martin: Senior Exhibition 2025
McKenna Martin ’25 (Product Design), “Hyacinth.” McKenna received first place for her design for the 2023 Delta design project/competition at MIAD, is on the Dean’s List and is from Fond du Lac, Wis.