For Families
Supporting your student’s success.
Welcome to the MIAD Family Forum, a reflection of both your and our commitment to ensuring your student’s academic and personal success.
Just as college is an exciting time of transformation for your student, it also marks a transitional milestone in your life. We recognize, and applaud, the pivotal role you play in your student’s life, and want to connect you with the information and resources you need to continue to do so.
At the same time that we encourage you to remain engaged in your student’s life, we also recognize that students succeed best in their journey toward becoming responsible adults and professionals when parents provide support as coaches and mentors, rather than as problem-solvers.
We hope you’ll use this website and our blog to help guide you in your role, and to learn more about how you can partner with us by directing your student to MIAD’s renowned campus resources and staff. The entire MIAD community is here to support your student’s natural ability to apply creativity, talent, knowledge and skills to new questions, experiences, and fields. Of course, if you have a concern, staff welcome your questions as well.
We also look forward to keeping you abreast of news throughout what promises to be a transformational year at MIAD.
Jeff Morin
President
Academic Advising →
Check out tips for success and resources for you and your student.
Careers in Art & Design →
Explore career prospects, resources and alumni successes.
Finances →
Learn more about financing a MIAD education.
Well Being and Safety →
MIAD takes pride in providing a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, faculty and visitors.
Life Beyond the Studio →
MIAD offers opportunities to enrich students’ college experiences beyond the classroom.
Graduation Information for Families →
Explore frequently asked questions about MIAD’s graduation.
News
MIAD Task Award: Alum pays it forward with generous mentoring
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) alum Amy Cannestra ’06 (Communication Design) believes in giving back, in mentoring and in the supportive nature of the Milwaukee art and design community. By founding Task Creative and the MIAD Task Graduate Award, the incredibly busy creative exemplifies all three beliefs. The Task awardee, Ashley Osorio ’26 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice), will receive five consecutive days to use the Task Creative space for a project of their choosing this summer.
Meet Michaela Prischman and 2026 Senior Exhibition Project Cloth
Michaela Prischman ’26 (Communication Design) is a President’s (Honor) List student from Tinley Park, Ill. She created “Cloth,” a tool to help guide young professional women to find and organize alternative work attire through a personalized style subscription box.
Flagship Madison museum features exhibition by FYE faculty
The First-Year Experience (FYE) at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) blends contemporary and traditional techniques, an approach embraced by FYE faculty David R. Harper in Good Morning Sweetheart, a solo exhibition on view at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) through August 30, 2026.
Illustration seniors land NASA and Disney internships
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design seniors Grace Weisner ’26 and Allison Stras ’26 have landed the internship of their dreams: Weisner at NASA and Stras at Disney. Both are Illustration majors with minors in Communication Design.
Meet Kas Cook and 2026 Senior Exhibition Project Mcallaster’s Special
Cas Kook ’26 (Animation Track in Illustration) is a Dean’s List student from the Greater Chicago area and a recipient of a 2026 Alumni Thesis Award. “Project Calvin Sazerac” is about Calvin Sazerac, a seasoned barkeep, who creates new cocktails for his favorite regulars. When he is challenged to meet the demands of a picky saloon patron, he creates something life changing.