Life Beyond the Studio
Studies show that students who are involved beyond the classroom/studio experience greater academic and personal success while developing valued friendships and leadership skills that remain with them long after graduation.
MIAD offers students myriad opportunities to enrich their college experience through engagement both on campus and off, including student government, student organizations, student activities and MIAD traditions, leadership training, free memberships for the Milwaukee Art Museum and Discovery World Museum, and major-specific professional organizations.
Housing
Exceptional student housing is available at TWO50TWO, MIAD’s residence hall completed in 2014. Located directly across the street from MIAD’s main academic building, TWO50TWO is a six-story, progressive-style building, which includes sustainable details and systems, and offers apartment-style suites designed and built exclusively for MIAD students. TWO50TWO is conveniently located in the heart of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward offering students direct access to the college, cultural venues, and visual art and design communities. See Cost of Attendance for housing fees.
Food Services
The MIAD Café is open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch, and into the evening for snacks. Students can choose from sandwiches, salads and a daily hot meal special. Learn more about the MIAD Café.
Students living in TWO50TWO residence hall are automatically enrolled in a meal plan. Students may add funds to their student account for meals. This eliminates the need to worry about brining a lunch or carrying cash every day. A student’s ID will be loaded with meal plan funds, and can be used for purchases in the cafe only. A continuing balance is maintained in the food service database. Students can ask cashiers at any time for their remaining card balance.
Note: Funds remaining on the meal card at the end of the Fall Semester can be carried over to the Spring Semester. However, funds remaining at the end of the Spring Semester are forfeited. Meal plans are not available during the summer.
Milwaukee Art Museum
All full-time MIAD students are members of the Milwaukee Art Museum and can visit the museum for free. Students simply show their student ID at the entrance.
Recreation Center
MIAD students can use Marquette University’s Recreation Center for a modest fee. The recreation centers offer a wide variety of athletic and recreation services including aerobics and fitness classes and rooms, NCAA-size swimming pool, jogging track, and tennis, squash, racquetball, badminton and basketball courts. Students pay a very low rate each semester for use of the nearby facilities.
News
Independence First and MIAD students produce adaptive clothing
Students in a junior-level Fashion and Apparel Design class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) collaborated with Independence First to design adaptive clothing. Two Independence First employees worked closely with MIAD students on customized outfits specific to their needs and preferences.
‘GQ Rebranded’ series is a hit for MIAD alum’s new studio
When Justin Thomas Kay ’04 (Communication Design) opened his own studio, JTK Studio, Inc., in New York City early this year, he hoped that his work “would contribute positively to helping to make things look nicer and more enjoyable and speak honestly to people broadly.” The new GQ Sports series “GQ Rebranded” turned out to be a good fit to do just that.
MIAD student support system receives national SMILE Award
Choose Mental Health, the national voice for children’s mental health, named the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) the 2024 SMILE Award–Organization Winner for the college’s commitment to promoting mental health and well-being among its students.
Senior’s passion for Illustration and Natural Sciences thrives at MIAD
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) senior Lilly Zbiegien’s two passions – Illustration and Natural Sciences – flourished at an early age and have continued through college. Recently Zbiegien presented her Natural Science Independent Study research, “Junkyard Nests,” showing not only the impact of plastic pollution on birds, but also her skill in portraying the environment through Illustration.
Reducing food insecurity at MIAD’s People’s Pantry
Students, staff and faculty at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) are addressing short-term food insecurity on campus with direct action. One of the college’s newest resources, the People’s Pantry, provides free food for anyone in the MIAD community who needs a meal, no questions asked.