Where passion
finds purpose.
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) is Wisconsin’s only four-year, nonprofit, private college of visual art and design. MIAD is a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), a consortium of 39 leading art schools in the United States and Canada.
Mission
We ignite curious minds through art, design and service.
Values
COURAGE, to seek our own path
INTEGRITY, to pursue our lives and work with meaning
KINDNESS, to thoughtfully engage with others
COMMUNITY, to positively contribute to the world around us
INNOVATION, to meet universal challenges in new ways
INCLUSION, to find strength in diversity
Vision
We will be a galvanized educational and creative community, addressing universal needs through our thought, design and expression.

MIAD by the numbers. Ranked in the top 20 small art colleges in the nation. Ranked in the top 10 best schools for Illustration in the Great Lakes. Ranked in the top 10 in the Midwest for Communication Design. 4 MIAD NSP Students have been accepted to the prestigious Yale Norfolk summer program in the last 4 years. Nearly 30% of MIAD graduates own their own businesses.
Quick Facts
History
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) was founded in 1974. It is the successor to the Layton School of Art, founded in 1920.
Accreditation
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.
Institutional Memberships
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
Degree Programs
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 & Community
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
Application Requirements
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.
Cost & Aid
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.
Study Opportunities
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
Marquette University Affiliation
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.
MIAD’s Campus
MIAD’s campus is located in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, the city’s official arts district, some twenty blocks of renovated warehouses, artists lofts, theaters, businesses, shops, and restaurants. Bordered by the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan and a destination for both tourists and residents, the Third Ward possesses a distinct and unique urban flavor.
The college offers one of the largest, safest, and most comprehensive art and design environments in the United States. Its campus occupies a mix of historic and modern buildings:
- The Jane Bradley Pettit Building, 273 East Erie Street: In 1992, after a complete renovation, the college moved into this facility. Our main academic building offers students, faculty, and staff 245,000 square feet of space on five floors.
- Two50Two MIAD Student Apartments, 252 East Menomonee Street: Offers students exceptional apartment-style living with upscale amenities, including LED TVs, modern furniture and upgraded appliances in every apartment, and on-site lounges and laundry. Two50Two is located directly across the street from MIAD.
- MIAD Gallery at The Ave, 301 West Wisconsin Ave Suite 104: The college’s first off-campus gallery showcasing work by students, staff, faculty and alumni is located downtown near Milwaukee’s 3rd Street Market Hall.
- Blick Art Materials, 242 East Menomonee Street: MIAD’s extensive on-campus art and design supply store.

News
MIAD students receive 2023 Graphic Design Awards from GDUSA
Three MIAD Communication Design students received 60th anniversary American Graphic Design Awards from Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) magazine. The students were selected from over 8,000 entries, and judged alongside professional design work. Fewer than 10% of entrants received an award.
IAD seniors tour construction site of The Couture
Interior Architecture and Design (IAD) seniors from MIAD were taken to new heights on November 13 when they toured the construction site of The Couture, a 44-story skyscraper under construction that will be Milwaukee’s tallest residential and mixed-use building. The tour was part of a series of tours their senior thesis “Building Systems” class is taking with instructor Dan Kalkman, AIA.
MIAD alum Sajnani selected as MAM 2023 annual ornament designer
The Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) selected the design of MIAD alum Debbie Sajnani ’16 (Communication Design) for its 2023 annual ornament. The ornaments are recreated each year by artisans using a reserve painting technique, according to MAM.
Ornament Trail features MIAD alumni, faculty, students
For decades, Milwaukee has hosted an annual Holiday Lights Festival. To commemorate the festival’s 25th anniversary, Milwaukee Downtown will also host the new Ornament Trail this year. Five Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) alumni and one instructor, who teamed up with both students and alumni, produced giant ornaments for the event.
MIAD Values Recognition Award: Sarah Eichhorn
Sarah Eichhorn, Visiting Instructor of Fashion and Apparel Design, received the October 2023 MIAD Values Recognition Award at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Eichhorn’s nominations speak to her Kindness, Inclusiveness, Innovation and support of MIAD’s Community.