Students in Arts Management course bring 12 renowned artists to MIAD for Printmaking Week

MILWAUKEE (October 24, 2018) … Printmaking Week is in full swing at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.

This unique event, which runs through October 26, welcomes 12 nationally and internationally acclaimed artists for a weeklong residency at MIAD, including: Hend Al-Mansour, Mary Hood, Romano Johnson, Tom Lucas, Anne Kingsbury, Monika Meler, MIAD President Jeff Morin, Andy Rubin, Grace Sippy, Ireri Topete, Tom Uttech and Keith Wilson.

Throughout the week, the artists are collaborating with students to produce a series of work covering a wide array of printmaking approaches and subjects. The event is part of Fine Arts Professor Rina Yoon’s Arts & Community course, which provides students the opportunity to research, plan and run an art event. Students are introduced to fundraising strategies, community engagement practices and social activism. The course is part of MIAD’s new Arts Management minor program.

Students and creative professionals learning from one another

Hend Al-Mansour

“We get to meet so many artists from many parts of the world, and my technical ability and skills are growing from getting to learn from them,” said Akira Mabon ’20 (New Studio Practice: Fine Arts). “Students should take full advantage of an opportunity like this to work with artists, hands-on.”

Mabon is working closely with Hend Al-Mansour, a medical doctor-turned artist from Saudi Arabia. Now living in Minnesota, Al-Mansour’s work focuses on Saudi women. Some of that work will appear in the exhibition, “I Contain Multitudes,” on view at MIAD January 19 – March 19.

“It’s exciting to have been invited, and to focus one whole week on making prints,” says Al-Mansour. “MIAD has a great print shop with many options and materials. I’m learning a lot from students and new technologies.”

Arts Management program helping students to pursue career goals

The Arts & Community class is one of several courses students can take to earn an Arts Management minor. The minor prepares students with the unique blend of skills necessary to lead community arts organizations, traditional and experimental art spaces, museums, galleries and nonprofits.

Throughout the program, students gain skills in communication, marketing, business management, educational programming/planning, audience development and fundraising. Students complete the 15-credit program through a combination of MIAD courses and courses offered through MIAD’s cross-registration program with Marquette University.

The Arts Management minor is helping Akira Mabon to pursue her career goal. “It’s my dream to own my own gallery,” she said.

Students majoring in any Bachelor of Fine Arts area at MIAD can participate in the Arts Management program. The program was developed after consulting with Milwaukee arts organizations leaders on the skills they need in organization leaders.