Events
We invite you to get involved with MIAD through the many events we host each year. Your participation supports students and alumni and helps create a galvanized education and creative community, addressing universal needs through our thought, design and expression. Join our mailing list to receive event updates!
MIAD Creativity Series
Founded in 2012, the MIAD Creativity Series annually brings in internationally preeminent artists, designers and creative scholars/educators to celebrate excellence in the arts, enrich the experiences of MIAD students and engage the community in new ways of thinking about and appreciating the visual arts and the world of design. Visiting creatives have an in-depth residency with MIAD students and present a public presentation.
MIAD Holiday Sale
The annual MIAD Holiday Sale supports students and alumni in showcasing and selling their one-of-a-kind art and design work (at all price points) to community members and art enthusiasts. The event is held during the first weekend of December. Proceeds support the artists/designers and MIAD student scholarships.
MIAD Senior Exhibition
MIAD’s annual Senior Exhibition, Wisconsin’s largest exhibition of its kind, features more than 130 artists and designers representing all of MIAD’s Bachelor of Fine Arts majors and minors.
Creative Fusion
Milwaukee’s signature fundraiser in the heart of MIAD’s creative studios, Creative Fusion, is an annual benefit for MIAD scholarships. The night includes a cocktail hour and dinner, as well as a live auction of artworks donated by a variety of artists.
Alumni Events
MIAD’s Alumni Office regularly hosts events for MIAD alumni! Check out featured events coming up.
Gallery Exhibitions
MIAD features two gallery spaces that are free and open to the public: The Frederick Layton Gallery and Brooks Stevens Gallery of Industrial Design. The galleries are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. View our current gallery exhibition schedule. Gallery tours are available.
Join Our Mailing List
Get updates on MIAD’s latest events!
Academic and Other Events
For other events, see our Academic Calendar and General Events Calendar.
Interested in sponsoring an event? Contact Tracy Milkowski at tracymilkowski@miad.edu or 414‑847‑3239.
Need a location for your next event? If you would like to have your event hosted at MIAD, please contact Fran Serlin, Director of Special Events, at 414‑847‑3336 or franserlin@miad.edu.
News
Veolia North America mural highlights native plants and fish
In a recent project through the Lubar Innovation Center at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), three students worked with Veolia North America to research, concept and install a mural of native plants and fish.
Animation Career Review ranks MIAD Communication Design program top in state
In its 2024 rankings, Animation Career Review named the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) the top college for graphic design in Wisconsin and among the top 15 in the midwest. The rankings considered over 700 schools with graphic design programs from across the United States.
MIAD interns aim high at Bucks; offer internship advice
Two Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) students interning for the Milwaukee Bucks are thrilled with the variety of their work, the collaborative brainstorming and brand support skills they are gaining and the joy of seeing their work in use by the Bucks organization.
MIAD alumni, faculty featured in Baird Center art collection
MIAD alumni are well represented in the We Energies Foundation Art Collection at the Baird Center, as are MIAD Professor Emerita Jill Sebastian and acclaimed artist Dawoud Bey, who created ”Milwaukee Portraits” of MIAD students. The collection was introduced to the public under its new name at the Baird Center in May 2024.
Angeline Garvey: Director of Design at Stone Creek
When Angeline Garvey ’22 (Illustration) decided to attend the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), she originally planned to focus entirely on illustration. But almost immediately, she was challenged to start expanding her creative horizons. Now, she is the Director of Design at Milwaukee’s Stone Creek Coffee.