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Belonging at MIAD

We believe everyone deserves a safe and supportive environment in which to teach, learn and create. At MIAD, our values call us to find strength in our diversity and to act with kindness in our actions.

Colorful yellow and blue window panes frame a bunch of plants.
Students and staff participate in a plant swap in the E+I Center
Zine Library against a yellow wall in the E+I center
A painting on a window of a planter held in several hands with the phrase "Grow Together!"
Two comfortable chairs face each other against a bright yellow wall.

Everyone wants to belong. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, staff or visitor, you are invited to add your voice. Across the college, there are numerous spaces, people and programs offering connection and community-building. Belonging requires participation – how you find your fit is up to you!

The works which fill our hallways and galleries reflect an exploration of identity and expression, as well as personal style and practice. This diversity of the MIAD community contributes to our teaching and learning, and provides opportunities for both affirmation and dissent.

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The Living Room

The Living Room is a student-managed lounge for Affirmation, Belonging, and Connection, where all persons are welcomed and celebrated. This is a space to explore the complexity of humanity and to embrace the fullness of our lived experiences. The Living Room models MIAD’s Core Values of community, kindness, and inclusion, while centering joy, accountability, autonomy, and interdependence in our work. We hold space for uncomfortable conversations and feelings in all the ways they may show up, and empower students to address situations independently and aligned with their values. Printed items around the space represent the lives and works of historical and contemporary creatives, affirming our experiences and allowing for discovery of new worldviews.

What you’ll find inside:

  • Staff offices
  • Open work spaces for meetings, critiques or doing homework
  • Television
  • Zine Library curated by MIAD students
  • Community Garden
  • Resource Library
  • Flair (buttons, stickers, name tags, etc.)
  • Personal products
  • Sensory tools
A comfortable-looking couch and table with colorful accents and a neon sign of a bear.

Disability and Access

MIAD supports the ability of all community members to succeed creatively, educationally and professionally, by removing barriers and promoting access in all college programs, activities and facilities. We provide reasonable accessibility services to students, employees and campus guests to ensure equal access and participation.

Student Accessibility Services

Find Your Connection

Belonging doesn’t just happen! Join one of the many student organizations on campus to start making new connections and find friends to explore Milwaukee.

Student Activities
Tribal Map

Tribal Map

Lands + Peoples Acknowledgement

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) occupies land on the banks of the Milwaukee River in what is presently known as Wisconsin. This land is the home of Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Potawatomi, and Ojibwe peoples, and it is the historic and present-day home of peoples who were forced by colonizers to leave their ancestral lands and migrate to and through this state. MIAD’s Acknowledgment affirms our actionable commitment to uplifting and centering Indigenous peoples and knowledge in our teaching and administration.

Read the full acknowledgement

News

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.