MIAD Defines 2023: Day of play

For the 2023 iteration of MIAD Defines, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design dedicated Tuesday, March 21 to playing. With the aim to connect, converse and learn across majors, years and disciplines, this year’s MIAD Defines was a resounding success.

“Play is curious, gives permission to fail, can be done collaboratively or solo, releases stress and anxiety, makes us more resilient, strengthens community…” reads communication from the planning committee, which goes on to list a multitude of other benefits of playing. Classes were canceled for the day so that students, faculty and staff could enjoy a pancake breakfast and a full day of activities all over the building.

Among over 40 activities were spoon carving in the 3D Lab, an all-day dance party with student DJs, a cosplay and drag runway, LEGO robot battles in the Lubar Innovation Center and several community murals around the building. All of the events encouraged collaboration across departments and majors. One activity, an informal drawing contest in the style of the Great British Bake Off, saw students, staff and faculty partnering to sketch. Another popular day-long event, Edible Type, encouraged participants to cook up delicious pancake art.

The day culminated with testing of an egg drop design challenge and final paper airplane throw, then pizza, burgers and film screenings of Everything Everywhere All At Once, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, and House.

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