About MIAD
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design fosters innovative, entrepreneurial and disruptive thinking that benefits our students and our corporate and nonprofit partners. The college brings robust career pathways and college readiness experiences to underrepresented and low-income high school youth, educates future art and design leaders and provides cultural experiences and events to the Greater Milwaukee community. MIAD is an accredited, nonprofit college offering the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and is the only private art and design college in Wisconsin.
Snapshots of MIAD History
View images from MIAD’s history, from senior exhibitions to construction of the Third Ward building!
1974 – Present
Our History
1974
MIAD founded
MIAD is founded, born from the nationally acclaimed Layton School of Art (est. 1920) and the forward-thinking legacy of its founders, life partners Charlotte Partridge and Miriam Frink
1974
MIAD opens Prospect Building
MIAD opens in the Prospect Building, 207 N. Milwaukee St., directly across the street from the current Valentine Coffee Roasters, at the corner of Chicago & Milwaukee St. (until 1984)
1984
MIAD moves to Plankinton Building
MIAD moves to the Plankinton Building, 342 N. Water St., at the corner of Water & St. Paul St., offering Graphic Design, Illustration, Fine Arts (Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture and Photography), Interior Design, Industrial Design
1992
MIAD moves to Third Ward
MIAD moves to its current Third Ward location at 273 E. Erie St.; Admissions gave hardhat tours during construction of the new building. Northwestern Mutual used a portion of the 4th floor for storage. The building also housed a sewing shop and small machine shop.
1996
MIAD acquires Student Union
MIAD acquires the building across the street as its Student Union
1999
MIAD acquires Gas Light Building
MIAD acquires the Gas Light Building (sold in 2005)
2000
Eisner Museum opens
Eisner Museum opens and also houses MIAD’s residence hall on Chicago St. (sold in 2010)
2006
MIAD logo created
MIAD’s current logo is created by designers Chermayeff & Geismar.
2007
Creative Fusion founded
Creative Fusion is founded by Madeleine & David Lubar
2014
Two50Two opens
- Two50Two Student Apartments open across from the main academic building
- MIAD celebrates 40th anniversary
2015
Fine Art major launch
Fine Art + New Studio Practice – MIAD’s multidisciplinary fine arts major – launches
2014–2019
Enrollment increases
Enrollment increases 50%, reaching 920 students.
2016
MIAD recognized for Graphic Design
Graphic Design USA first recognizes MIAD as top Graphic Design School
2019
Equity & Inclusion
Equity & Inclusion Center opens.
2019
- Year-long Design Internship Program for high-schoolers begins
- Animation program launches in MIAD’s nationally recognized Illustration major
2023
Present day
- The college completes its $10 million Our Creative Future campaign, fueling scholarship, program and facilities innovations, like the Lubar Centers for Innovation & Emerging Technology
- Animation ranks top in the state; Illustration in the top ten in the Midwest; college is #1 Graphic Design School in Wisconsin (Animation Career Review)
- Fashion and Apparel Design major launches
- MIAD Gallery at The Ave opens
- Enrollment holds strong at 877; first year-retention is 86%