Annual Fund
Your gifts to MIAD’s Annual Fund, regardless of size, support the people and programs that propel MIAD’s growth and excellence as an educational institution and an agent of change in our shared community.
Wherever you direct your Annual Fund gift, and whatever amount you generously donate, you will make a significant difference.





Ways to direct your funds
Immediate Needs and Priorities
Unrestricted gifts allow MIAD to say “Yes!” to bold new ideas, including new programs like Animation and Fashion and Apparel Design; innovative technologies and facilities like the Lubar Centers for Innovation and Emerging Technology; equity and inclusion (E&I) initiatives like the AICAD Fellows program and expanded E&I Center and programs, and more.
Scholarships
Scholarships help bridge the gap between talent and financial need, allowing students to focus on their studies. From First in My Family Scholarships to Housing Scholarships and General Scholarships, your gift is a direct investment in a student of promise. A gift of $10,000 allows you to name a scholarship.
Senior Thesis Awards are one way that alumni can help students complete their capstone projects. Looking for other ways to get involved as an alum? Let us know.
MIAD is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Gifts may be tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you have any questions about contributing to MIAD, please contact us.
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.