Student Activities & Organizations
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
Outside of Student Party, clubs and organizations flourish around MIAD. Here are all of MIAD’s ongoing student clubs and organizations. Email studentparty@miad.edu for more information.
Do you want to start a student club or organization? Please review this presentation for a step-by-step guide on starting a club or organization at MIAD.
STUDENT PARTY
Ready to join the party? Learn more here!
Contact: studentparty@miad.edu
ALPHA LAMBDA DELTA (ALD)
Alpha Lambda Delta is a Greek honorary society—not a fraternity or sorority. We encourage superior academic achievement among students in their first year attending higher education institutions. ALD promotes intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning, as well as assists in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for a student’s role in society. Our focus is on encouraging others academically, serving others through philanthropic efforts, and becoming strong citizens in our society.
ANIME CLUB
Anime Club is a club for anime fans, both new and old, to not only to sit and watch their favorite shows with others, but also to meet and talk about anime with new people. Every couple of months, the club meets for game nights with prizes. Anime Club also hosts themed drawing nights for a fun break from school activities.
ASIAN CREATIVE UNION (ACU)
A student-led organization with a mission to promote cultural awareness and resources on campus concerning Asian experiences in America, particularly in the creative setting. Our aim is to facilitate healthy conversations amongst the student population who are interested in learning more about this experience while providing a safe and supportive environment for creatives of various Asian backgrounds.
BLACK LEADERS AND ARTISTS COALITION (BLAC)
The Black Leaders and Artists Coalition is a student-run union dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space for black and other POC students at MIAD. BLAC fosters healthy dialogue concerning inclusivity and diversity within the college. MIAD’s chapter intends to promote and educate on the black experience in both our college and country.
BLACK QUILTERS UNION
Weaving together the Black experience at MIAD, the Black Quilters Union is a small family on campus welcoming any and all Black student on seeking to form connection, learn quilting, get in touch with their heritage, fellowship and eat as we collectively craft a quilted symbol to represent of the legacy of Black students at MIAD.
BOARD GAME CLUB
Board Game Club is a place where students can relax while playing all kinds of tabletop games, card games, and more. Whether you have a vast wealth of knowledge in all-things-games or have only gotten your butt kicked in Monopoly, everyone is welcome to learn about new games and have fun with friends. Board Game Club meets every Wednesday in room 495B at 6:00 PM.
CODING CLUB
If you have any interest in making games, apps, websites, or otherwise writing code for any of your own miscellaneous projects, Coding Club is here to learn and experiment with you! We’re a club focused on coding and all things computer-related. We aim to create a fun, supportive environment where everyone can explore their interests and improve their skills during weekly meetings.
COLLAGE CLUB
Collage Club hosts collage crafting events based on various themes throughout the semester. Whether it be scrapbooking or collaging, for fun or for a project, any student is welcome to relax, hang out, and create—entirely free of stress.
CONCEPT ART CLUB
Concept Art Club provides opportunities for students to explore and improve upon developing concept art. Be it character design, backgrounds, or weapon design, join Concept Art to expand your portfolio and have fun in the process.
DOLL CLUB
Doll club is a club… all about dolls! Barbies, Bratz, Monster High—we have it all. Come play, talk, draw, and have fun with others who love dolls!
DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS
Dungeons & Dragons Club is a gathering place for fans of all tabletop RPGs. D&D Club meets online via a Discord server, available through the MIAD Student Hub. We connect players, share resources, art, and inspiration, and host creative events. D&D Club is open to all players, from veterans to newbies, regardless of level.
FIBERS CLUB
Open to all MIAD students, Fibers Club is rooted in the exploration of all things fiber! During our meetings, we will demonstrate various fiber techniques, such as knitting, crochet, sewing, embroidery and mending. We will also be hosting guest speakers and workshops throughout the year. Join us and bring your current WIP!
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS CLUB
You are the first. The first American-born in your family, the first to attend college, or even the first to attend an art institute. No matter the case, we’re here to welcome the good—welcome you—into a safe space to celebrate you: First Generation Students of MIAD.
HILLEL MILWAUKEE
Hillel Milwaukee strives to create a dynamic, warm and celebratory Jewish environment for Milwaukee’s university students and young adults.
HORROR MOVIE CLUB
The purpose of Horror Movie Club is to provide a chance to watch all the different kinds of horror that are out there. Fans of the macabre, we welcome you to join us! Those that are less keen on horror, worry not—we also watch comedy horror and family-friendly horror. Movie suggestions are highly appreciated, and everyone is welcome to join.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNERS SOCIETY OF AMERICA (IDSA)
The MIAD Chapter of IDSA (Industrial Design Society of America) serves both Product Design students and anyone wanting to learn more about the product design industry. Active since the mid-80s, our chapter organizes professional events, guest lectures, and workshops with invited designers. Members have the opportunity to attend events within the Great Lakes Chapter of IDSA, and are encouraged to attend regional and national IDSA conferences. IDSA provides professional development opportunities such as networking, workshops, and guest lectures. In addition, IDSA hosts social events to test skills, build connections, and have fun.
LEGO CLUB
Join us as we split into groups to design and build our own Lego sets! Lego Club works together to build unique Lego sets from the ground up, starting with concepts, moving to instructions, and finishing each semester with finalized Lego masterpieces.
MYSTIC HALLOW CLUB
Mystic Hallow Club is a place to learn about and engage with different spiritual beliefs, educating others about the uses and benefits of crystals, healing energy, intentions, herbology, and all-around good vibes. It also explores the history of chakra healing within Buddhism, Hinduism, and Paganism, in addition to hosting meditations, yoga, and homework help sessions. All magic discussed will be white magic only; no hexes or curses are discussed within the club. Regardless of religious belief or standing, Mystic Hallow Club welcomes everyone to join.
OPEN MIC CLUB
Ready to get on stage? Open Mic Club is a recital space for students to perform music, poetry, and other work in front of a live audience. Performances are held on the last Sunday of every month in the MIAD Student Union.
POCKET GALLERY
Pocket Gallery is dedicated to curating student, staff, and alumni work in a booklet created by and for the MIAD community. Students can learn and refine their publication and design skills in a low-risk, friendly, and familiar environment, or just submit to the Gallery itself. It’s an easy and accessible way to get inspired by others and gain exposure for your work. Create, submit, and connect with us at Pocket Gallery! Please follow us on Instagram @miadpocketgallery or visit our website.
ROCK CLIMBING CLUB
Rock Climbing Club introduces students to the vibrant and accepting community of rock climbing and helps them to scale to new heights. Whether novice or pro, Rock Climbing Club strives to guide students in their journeys to make and meet new goals, thrive in a community, and have a great time with friends new and old.
RUNNING AND WALKING CLUB
Do you like being outdoors, or want a low-pressure excuse to be more active? Or, are you looking for a group of friends to explore the city? If yes, Running & Walking Club is right up your alley! We organize weekly runs, walks, and hikes via our email list. All runs and walks start from the main MIAD building. Running & Walking Club also provides carpooling to local county and state parks for hikes. If you’re interested in joining, email any of our student leaders, or send us a DM on our Instagram, @miad_running_walking.
SCHOOL IDOL CLUB
MIAD School Idol Club is a space for appreciating and pursuing the dreams of school idols like those from the Love Live series, Ensemble Stars, Project Sekai, and other iconic singing characters like Hatsune Miku. We aim to create a relaxed environment for fans to come to, whether that be to share their interests, or just have a safe space and listen to music. There will be frequently rotated events and activities like anime watch parties, oc idol groups, dance nights, live show watch parties, and more! Even if you’ve never heard of school idols before, anybody is welcome to come in, hang out, and be themselves!
SOUND COLLECTIVE
The MIAD Sound Collective is a supportive group of students, faculty and alumni who are interested in working solo and collaboratively in sound. No technical experience is needed to join! This is a knowledge sharing venture that draws on the unique experience of its members. Collective members are empowered to organize projects with other Collective members and the larger MIAD community while also seeking feedback or assistance on any solo work they may be doing. This includes making music, field recordings, interviews, sound experiments etc. The Collective has an ongoing arrangement with Riverwest Radio here in Milwaukee (104.1 FM) in which recordings that are produced can be aired locally and online through the Collective’s radio show.
The Collective shares messages, ideas, links, recordings and also organizes meetings via a Google Space. Collective members are all empowered to decide when and where to call meetings and what projects they want to organize either solo or collaboratively. Everyone is invited to join this group! Interested parties can email Peter Barrickman (peterbarrickman@miad.edu) to join the Collective and be added to the Google Space.
SOMOS UNIDOS
Somos Unidos is a student-led organization dedicated to creating community and opportunities for Latine and Hispanic students, as well as cultivating cultural awareness and appreciation. We welcome everyone and strive to create an open and accepting environment for all students.
TECHNIQUE OF THE WEEK
Technique of the Week is a skillshare series hosted by the Lubar Emerging Technology Center. Once a week, we gather in the ETC to hear from various MIAD students, staff, alumni, and faculty about things they are working on in the realm of the unfamiliar, emergent, and technological in their practice. All are welcome to drop in during listed common hours to participate! Follow us on IG @etc.miad to stay up to date on upcoming TOW sessions.
TYPE UNION
Type Union is a club for all typography lovers (CD major or not). Members participate in typography and design workshops, learn and utilize different design tools and techniques, and go on typography-related field trips. Type Union provides a space for students to design, critique, and create fun projects to expand their skill set and artistic portfolios.
VISUAL HARMONY ACAPELLA
Do you like to sing? Visual Harmony Acapella is a group of passionate students that love to express themselves through music. Every Friday, we meet in the Union to learn new pieces together—come sing with us!
ZINE CLUB
“The punk ethos of do-it-yourself or DIY was and is still a refusal of the alienation and divisions of activities or skills… as well a sliding under state and corporate overpresence.” This quote by Mimi Thi Nguyen accurately describes the nature the motto Zine Club has always stood by: “DIY or die!” Zine Club is a safe and friendly environment to discuss and create zines, and to form connections with fellow students. Join Zine Club today!
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.