The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) was founded in 1974. It is the successor to the Layton School of Art, founded in 1920.

MIAD is Wisconsin’s only college devoted exclusively to the education of artists and designers. It is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission,  a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

MIAD maintains many institutional memberships, including:

• Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB)
• Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD)
• American Alliance of Museums
• Create Wisconsin
• Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC)
• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
• Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC)
• ImagineMKE
• Jewish Museum
• John Michael Kohler Arts (JMKAC)
• LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Ed
• Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC)
• Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN)
• Milwaukee Film
• Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA)
• National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)
• National Association of Schools in Art and Design (NASAD)
• Nō Studios
• Walker’s Point Center for the Arts
• Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU)
• Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
• Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
• Woodland Pattern

Communication Design
Fashion and Apparel Design
Fine Art + New Studio Practice
Illustration
Animation Track
Interior Architecture and Design
Product Design

STUDIO MINORS

All Major Programs
Art Management
Book Arts
Digital Media Production
Furniture Design
Soft Goods

LIBERAL STUDIES MINORS

Advertising
Art History
Business
Copywriting
Humanities
Psychology
Natural Sciences
Sustainability
Writing

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Students must earn 120 credits to graduate, including 78 studio credits and 42 liberal studies credits. Liberal study areas and the number of credits required in each are: English & Writing, 12: Art History, 12; Humanities & Sciences, 18.

Campus

• Fully equipped 3-D Lab, including wood, metal and plastic power and hand tools
• Emerging Technology Center (ETC) with 3D printers, laser cutters/etchers, digital printers, virtual reality and animation resources, Waicom drawing tablets
• Innovation Center for innovative and entrepreneurial thinking and making in collaboration with corporate and nonprofit partners
• Laptop-compatible labs for both fine art and design majors
• Numerous photography labs
• Textiles Lab
• Individual fine art and design studios
• Sculpture studio with foundry
• Printmaking studio with equipment for intaglio, lithography, screen printing and digital processes
• Library (SWITCH Program) providing students with access to over half a million volumes, 2000 videos and extensive online resources
• Academic Support Center (tutoring, counseling, ELL support)
• Blick Art Materials (located on-campus)
• MIAD Cafe

Galleries

• Brooks Stevens Gallery of Industrial Design (Jane Bradley Pettit Building)
• Frederick Layton Gallery (Jane Bradley Pettit Building)
• MIAD Student Gallery (Jane Bradley Pettit Building)
• MIAD Gallery at The Ave (301 West Wisconsin Ave., Suite 104)

Community

MIAD’s faculty consists of more than 100 artists, designers, and scholars. Our student faculty ratio is 11 to 1.

900 Students (Includes full-time and part-time, degree-seeking students)
600 Pre-College students
250 Outreach/Special Programs students

MIAD requires a completed application form, transcripts and portfolio for admissions consideration. There is no fee for applicants who apply online at miad.edu/applynow.

TUITION

2023-24 academic year: $40,480
Per semester: $20,240
Per part-time credit (fewer than 12 credits per semester): $1,350

For more information, see Cost of Attendance.

FEES

Fees for the 2023-24 academic year vary by student depending on course selection and year in college.

• Full-time First-Year student fees are $750. Additionally, full-time First-Year students purchase Studio mini-kits of supplies which are estimated at $350 in the fall semester. More information on Studio Mini-Kits and supplies is sent to admitted students in early summer.
• The Technology and Software fee, which includes a subscription to Microsoft Office, Autodesk and Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, is $450.
• Majors fees for full-time, upper-level students are $800.
• The Student Services Fee for all students is $310.

HOUSING

2023-24 Academic Year Costs
Exceptional student housing is available at Two50Two, MIAD’s residence hall.  Located directly across the street from MIAD’s main academic building, Two50Two offers apartment-style suites exclusively for MIAD students.

• Double-occupancy room* (with shared bath) cost for the 2023-24 academic year: $8,395 (includes all utilities)
  *based on availability and cannot be guaranteed
• Triple-occupancy room** (with shared bath) cost for the 2023-24 academic year: $6,785 (includes all utilities)
  **based on availability; there are more triple than double units

MIAD requires all full-time students to live at Two50Two, unless the student meets one of the following criteria: has a permanent residence within 45 miles of campus; is at least 21 years of age; is married; is a custodial parent; is a junior or senior; or has special needs which cannot be met at Two50Two. Housing information is mailed to all admitted students in March.

MEALS

2023-24 Academic Year Costs
While MIAD’s residence hall offers fully equipped kitchens, we do understand there are times when students would prefer to eat on-campus in the MIAD cafe. MIAD requires a minimum $1,700 meal plan ($850/semester) for all residential students (those living on-campus). Student may choose to add additional funds to their minimum meal plan, or purchase food independently to prepare in their apartment kitchen.

FINANCIAL AID

100% of all MIAD students receive some form of Institutional, State or Federal financial assistance. MIAD students use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and MIAD’s federal school code – 014203 – to apply for financial aid.

SCHOLARSHIPS

MIAD awards numerous merit-based scholarships to incoming students who demonstrate artistic and academic achievement. Scholarships range from $12,000 to full tuition.

MIAD offers special study opportunities on and off campus. They include:

• The AICAD Exchange program, allowing students to attend 33 other AICAD schools throughout the nation for one semester.
• Semester-long exchange programs in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain
• MIAD-led short-term study/travel to such locations as Ireland, Italy, Thailand and France
• Independent Study
• Work Study
• Internships

The MIAD and Marquette University connection offers MIAD students access to an increased number of Humanities and Sciences classes, library, health care, intramural sports, and health club facilities.