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 Values Recognition Award: Leslie Fedorchuk
Leslie Fedorchuk, Professor of Writing & Humanities and Director of Service Learning, received the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) MIAD Values Recognition Award for February 2026. Leslie received nominations that highlighted her embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Integrity, Kindness and Community.
MIAD Innovation Center and MAM provide career experience
Through a partnership with the MIAD Lubar Innovation Center, stunning campaign artwork by a student at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) once again is helping to launch Art in Bloom – the Milwaukee Art Museum’s annual celebration of art and spring. Illustrations by senior Emily Porven ’26 are both vibrant and subtle, colorful and evocative, capturing the essence of the event.
Nohl Alumni Award propels lasting impact for MIAD professor
Receiving a Ruth Arts Mary L. Nohl Alumni Award has both immediate and longer-term impacts for Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Professor Jon Horvath; for himself as an artist, for the arts community and for MIAD students. Horvath, who teaches in MIAD’s Fine Art + New Studio Practice major, was one of three artists and one collective recently given the award, which provides $25,000 in unrestricted funds to each.
Arts education lays groundwork for MIAD alum curatorial role
Nikki Ranney ’22 (Illustration), the new curator of the Cedarburg Art Museum, says she “is so grateful that I went through my Bachelor of Fine Arts and got to experience a traditional art education at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design because it laid the groundwork for the more academic side of the curatorial field.”
Museum Studies class: Hands-on exhibition and career experience
Last fall’s Museum Studies class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) has solidified a career choice for at least one of the 16 students who took it. The class was on the go all semester, visiting museums throughout Milwaukee, meeting with professionals and thinking critically about the role of museums in our society.