Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) is Wisconsin’s only four-year, private college of visual art and design, offering a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Communication Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture + Design, and New Studio Practice: Fine Arts.

We prepare students with interest and ability in the visual arts for passage into professional careers. We're not a trade school. We're a college that launches professional artists and designers on their personal journeys toward artistic growth and successful, creative lives. We were founded as MIAD in 1974, but formed from the Layton School of Art & Design, which began instruction in 1920.

We ignite curious minds through art, design and service. We will be a galvanized educational and creative community, addressing universal needs through our thought, design and expression.

MIAD recognizes artistic and academic achievement through a vibrant array of renewable scholarships. Based on artistic and academic merit, MIAD scholarships embrace the creative energies of our prospective student body. Students accepted for admission will automatically be considered for MIAD scholarships. Scholarship decisions will be made on a rolling basis beginning December 1. Students may be eligible for additional forms of financial aid.

MIAD encourages students and families to be aware of scholarship and grant opportunities that are available from non-MIAD sources. Many scholarships that do not originate with MIAD are available to students who may qualify based on special skills, community activities, ethnic or racial heritage, or other criteria. Good sources of information about these scholarships are high school guidance offices, libraries, a parent’s place of employment, churches and civic organizations.

Travel/study abroad programs provide students with unique opportunities to broaden their world-view, immerse themselves in another culture or environment and positively influence their work as designers and artists.

MIAD offers short-term, faculty-led travel programs for students during the summer months and over Spring Break. Past programs have included Italy, Ireland, China, Thailand, Paris and the Desert Southwest. Programs currently range in length from 9 days to 4 weeks for 3 to 6 credits. Financial Aid is often available as well as a select number of need-based grants. Most programs are open to students at all levels in all majors.

MIAD is a member of The Alliance of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD), an association of 42 internationally recognized colleges of art and design. Students, through this association, may apply to spend a semester or year in a similar degree program at one of the participating member institutions. You remain registered at MIAD (thus retaining residency and student aid eligibility) and receive regular credit for the mobility program. Students interested in participating in this exchange program should contact the registrar during their sophomore year for specific requirements.

MIAD’s holistic academic advising program is based on a close student-advisor relationship and uses the full range of college and community resources to inform and support students.

With the support of their advisor, students learn to use MIAD’s curricular, career, financial and co-curricular opportunities to best realize their academic, career and personal goals.

Talking about jobs and careers may seem premature, especially to parents of newer students. Some parents may have already thought about jobs and careers through the admissions process and consideration of their student’s art/design college education at MIAD. In fact, just by attending MIAD, students have already started their career.

MIAD is serious about the success of students, including their success as professionals after graduation. Staff in MIAD’s Career Services Office does not consider any discussion of jobs and careers too early. The Office aims to help students pursue and achieve their career as a designer, their life as an artist or their success in other professions.

The more students use Career Services and its resources, the better they will make realistic and satisfying decisions about their professional development and future. Students can start their connection with Career Services as freshmen and continue their contact with staff through their senior year.

MIAD provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Accommodations are determined on an individual basis through Academic Resources.

MIAD’s Pre-College Program is a series of weekend and summer classes devoted to developing high school students’ artistic skills and preparing them for an art and design college. Classes are available for high school freshman through senior year.

MIAD’s Summer Pre-College is an intense, immersive, and exciting exploration of visual art and design for high school age students. Taught by MIAD faculty, this is an opportunity to create art all day, every day, and experience a college-level curriculum. It is also a chance to connect with other art students from across the country.

There are two programs: The two-week Core Studio Concepts is for beginning or intermediate students interested in exploring two areas of art study: The three-week Advanced Studio Concepts is for students ready for intensive college work in one area of art study; Advanced Studio students also receive 3 elective credits to MIAD.