Select Page

MIAD Defines 2023: Day of play

For the 2023 iteration of MIAD Defines, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design dedicated Tuesday, March 21 to playing. With the aim to connect, converse and learn across majors, years and disciplines, this year’s MIAD Defines was a resounding success.

“Play is curious, gives permission to fail, can be done collaboratively or solo, releases stress and anxiety, makes us more resilient, strengthens community…” reads communication from the planning committee, which goes on to list a multitude of other benefits of playing. Classes were canceled for the day so that students, faculty and staff could enjoy a pancake breakfast and a full day of activities all over the building.

Among over 40 activities were spoon carving in the 3D Lab, an all-day dance party with student DJs, a cosplay and drag runway, LEGO robot battles in the Lubar Innovation Center and several community murals around the building. All of the events encouraged collaboration across departments and majors. One activity, an informal drawing contest in the style of the Great British Bake Off, saw students, staff and faculty partnering to sketch. Another popular day-long event, Edible Type, encouraged participants to cook up delicious pancake art.

The day culminated with testing of an egg drop design challenge and final paper airplane throw, then pizza, burgers and film screenings of Everything Everywhere All At Once, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, and House.

Learn more about MIAD, or request information!

News

Fine Art senior selected for Wisconsin Artists Biennial 2026

Marta Tereziya ’26, a Fine Art + New Studio Practice senior at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), is one of 50 Wisconsin artists selected for the 2026 Wisconsin Artists Biennial. The Wisconsin Artists Biennial is co-sponsored and organized by Wisconsin Visual Artists and the Museum of Wisconsin Art.

Sabbatical journey: Revelations and a new course for students

A sabbatical year immersed in Japanese culture, language and the study of Ukiyo-e – images of Japan’s “floating world” – led Professor Chelsea Holton to two main “aha” moments and development of a new course for students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD).

Fashion students design adaptive clothing for Independence First

For the second year in a row, Fashion and Apparel Design students at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) worked with Independence First to design adaptive clothing tailor-made for two people who use wheelchairs. The project is part of a junior-level Patternmaking & Construction course.

MIAD Values Recognition Award: Nichole Uecker

Nichole Uecker, Student Accessibility Coordinator, received the October 2025 MIAD Values Recognition Award at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Nichole’s nominations highlighted her embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Community, Inclusion and Kindness.

Personal and professional passion inspire Product Design student

When senior Carmen Briones’ mother was diagnosed with breast cancer during Briones’ sophomore year at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), finding a bra that was comfortable with a medical port became an additional challenge. Briones ’26 (Product Design) answered that challenge in her Design for Human Interface class by designing a product that reduces pain while increasing mobility.