The Milwaukee Public Schools Design Project, funded through a Title II ESEA grant, is a partnership between the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, six schools within the Milwaukee Public School District (MPS), and Marquette University.

Over two years the MPS Design Project works with interdisciplinary teams of teachers from partner schools to meet state design/media and technology education standards, expand their use of technology, and build cross-disciplinary teaching communities within their schools.

The MPS Design Project also helps teachers meet re-certification requirements with graduate level coursework through Marquette and builds strong connections between K-12 teachers and institutions of higher education. The program provides teachers with opportunities to collaborate and support one another in the school environment while offering innovative and effective learning experiences to their students. Many participant schools access MIAD's Future Designers program with multi-day projects for 6-12 grade students in logo design, poster design, documentary video, and more. Teachers also share their experiences and curricular innovations at state and regional conferences.

The MPS Design Project received a Program of Distinction Award in 2005. Both Future Designers and the MPS Design Project were selected to receive a PK-16 Promising Practice Award in 2004.

2003-2005 Partner Schools
Audubon Technology and Communication Center
Hartford University School
North Division High School
Vincent High School/Community High School
Webster Middle School
Wisconsin Conservatory for Lifelong Learning

2005-2007 Participants
Audubon Technology and Communication Center
Bruce Guadalupe Middle School
Madison High School
Milwaukee High School of the Arts
Riverside High School
Roosevelt Middle School of the Arts
W.E.B. DuBois High School
Downtown Institute for Arts & Letters