Summerfest collaborates with MIAD Lubar Innovation Center
This year, Milwaukee Summerfest partnered with the Lubar Innovation Center at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to design the 2025 lineup poster.
Kai Kilgore ’25 (Illustration) and Xander Maxwell ’26 (Illustration – Animation Track) were hired by the Innovation Center to iterate and produce Summerfest’s poster. After considering both designs, Summerfest moved forward with Maxwell’s space-themed poster.

Kai Kilgore, “Summerfest lineup poster,” 2025.

Xander Maxwell, “Summerfest lineup poster,” 2025.
Maxwell says, “Working with the Innovation Center is always great. The opportunity to get work experience as a student is one of the most valuable things I have experienced at MIAD. I feel like all of the projects I have done have really benefited me as an artist while also pushing me to make great work. Being able to put actual work in my portfolio is a great thing that would benefit anybody.”
“Working with the MIAD Lubar Innovation Center on this project was an exceptional experience from ideation to completion,” says Jerrod Woods, Senior Director of Marketing at Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. “Their professionalism, creativity, and passion made this collaboration an unforgettable experience. We look forward to finding more ways to work with the Innovation Center in the future.”
Learn more about MIAD’s Lubar Innovation Center!
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).