Select Page

MIAD Values Recognition Award: Jason Yi

Jeff Morin and Jason Yi pose together during the awarding of the Values Recognition Award

Jeff Morin and Jason Yi

Jason Yi, Professor of Fine Art + New Studio Practice, received the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) Values Recognition Award for March 2026. Jason received nominations that highlighted his embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Integrity, Kindness and Community.

The MIAD Values Recognition Award (VRA) celebrates faculty and staff who consistently model MIAD’s values of courage, integrity, kindness, community, innovation and inclusion. After employees nominate a colleague for the award, a committee made up of faculty, staff and previous VRA winners convenes to vote on the month’s recipient. Awardees receive a $250 prize.

One nominator said, “Jason is a thoughtful, engaged, dedicated educator and community member both within and outside the walls of MIAD. In every interaction with him, Jason puts the best interests of MIAD students, alumni and his colleagues at the forefront of his work. Examples of this include: the Bridgework program for emerging studio graduates of MIAD and UWM, the launch of the ArtForward competition for current MIAD students, repeated field trips to the Haggerty and Art Institute of Chicago to further exposure to working artists and curators, and his consistent and reliable service on committees benefiting both faculty and staff colleagues.”

Another nominator said, “Jason is always open to new ideas, and takes time to thoughtfully and respectfully engage in conversation.”

Learn more about MIAD’s Values Recognition Award or nominate a colleague at www.miad.edu/vra.

News

Moonlight Retreat Builds Connection

Since 2018, MIAD faculty member Naomi Shersty has been creating space for artists and nonartists alike to step away from the demands of everyday life and reconnect through creativity, community and nature.

Containment Breach Selected for ICON13 Motion Commotion Screening

Parker Deutsch ’26 (Illustration – Animation Track) recently had the animated short “Containment Breach” selected for screening in Motion Commotion, part of ICON13, the Illustration Conference. The showcase features innovative animation and motion-based work from illustrators and animators across the field.

MAKE! Participants Reflect on Creativity, Community and Growth

Alicia Zapata, a second-year MAKE! participant from Chicago and a K-8 art teacher at Waters Elementary School in Chicago, IL, Kelly Wendel, an eighth-year participant and art teacher at Nicolet High School in Glendale, WI and Gail Kowsky, a second-year participant and sixth- and seventh-grade art teacher in New Brighton, Minnesota, reflected on what they gained from this year’s program.