Legacy Giving

A planned gift – from a will, trust, life insurance or other means – offers a flexible and often tax beneficial way to impact our future creative leaders.
How to plan your gift
Bequests
With a simple bequest, you can make a significant gift to benefit MIAD students today and in the future. A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust. It is one of the most flexible ways that you can support MIAD, and may lessen the burden of taxes on your family.
See our Guide to Making a Bequest for more details on types of bequests, how to make a bequest and more. To make a bequest, we encourage you to speak with your attorney and/or financial advisor.
Beneficiary designations
Not everyone wants to commit to making a gift in their will or estate. Some prefer the increased flexibility that a beneficiary designation provides by using:
- IRAs and retirement plans
- Life insurance policies
- Commercial annuities
To name MIAD as a beneficiary, follow these three simple steps:
- Contact your plan/policy administrator or financial institution for a change-of-beneficiary form.
- Decide what percentage (1 to 100) you would like MIAD to receive and name us, along with the percentage you chose, on the beneficiary form.
- Return the completed form to your plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution and return a copy to MIAD’s Advancement Office.
Memorials and tribute gifts
Establishing a memorial or tribute gift is a meaningful way to honor your loved one or to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary while supporting excellence in art and design education and making a difference in the lives of our students.
To make a memorial or tribute gift, fill out our online form (select Memorial/Tribute Gift), or contact us for more details.
More information
For assistance with making a planned gift, contact the MIAD Institutional Advancement Office. Additionally, if you have already included MIAD in your estate plan, please notify the MIAD Institutional Advancement Office. While this notification is not obligatory, it can help us to understand your wishes so we can use your gift as intended, as well as help MIAD plan for the future.
The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.
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
Yale Norfolk Summer Program accepts Fine Art junior
Greta Berens ’26 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice) was accepted to participate in the summer Yale Norfolk program in Norfolk, Connecticut. The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) junior is one of 25 students who will attend the six-week program.
MIAD alum is state fair Grand Champion Fairtastic Artist
Wisconsin State Fair has named Lauren Marvell ’16 (Integrated Studio Arts) the 2025 Grand Champion Fairtastic Artist for her hand-painted poster featuring this year’s theme, “youth enjoying the state fair.”
Milwaukee Public Market celebrates 20 years with MIAD collaboration
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Milwaukee Public Market looked to the Lubar Innovation Center at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) for designs reflecting the market and Milwaukee.
Poster designs support professional practice, children’s nonprofit
Each year, Illustration juniors at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) work with Cramer-Krasselt and Penfield Children’s Center to design posters for the Penfield Children’s Center Annual Croquet Ball fundraiser.
Milwaukee Art Museum partners with MIAD Lubar Innovation Center
For its annual celebration of art, flowers and spring, the Milwaukee Art Museum turned once again to the Lubar Innovation Center at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD).