Learning Between the Lines
For half a century, MIAD has been at the leading edge of art and design college education in Milwaukee.
In 2024, The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is kicking off a year of exhibitions, celebrations and more in honor of 50 years spent educating art and design students in the city.
“We’re taking this year as a celebration of our legacy of educational excellence, but we’re also focusing on our community,” says MIAD President Jeffrey Morin. “We want to acknowledge this amazing history we have and also promote the importance of MIAD to Milwaukee.”
MIAD has been here since 1974 – but its roots in Milwaukee trace back farther. In 1920, Charlotte Partridge and Miriam Frink founded the Layton School of Art in the basement of the Frederick Layton Art Gallery. The college set a high standard that continues today, pioneering movements in arts education and making a reputation for itself as one of the best schools in the country for art and design education.
When the school closed in the early ’70s, seven of the Layton faculty created their own independent college – originally called the Milwaukee School of the Arts, now known as MIAD. “MIAD is built on the foundation established by the Layton School,” says Morin.
The Milwaukee School of the Arts opened on the corner of Chicago and Milwaukee streets with a few small classes mostly made up of former Layton School students. The space was rented, the faculty chipping in $100 each to pay for it. By the end of the first year, the new nonprofit college was fully accredited and changed its name to MIAD.
The college moved to its current Third Ward location in 1992 and has been steadily growing for years, offering art and design education across many disciplines. Morin came to the college as president in 2015.
“When the president position opened, I immediately threw my hat in the ring,” Morin says. “I wanted to be part of a college that’s forward-thinking, nimble, and has years of community service behind it. “
As president, Morin has helped lead growth unlike anything MIAD had seen before. From 2014-2019, the college saw enrollment rise 50%. “For a university to grow by that amount in today’s conditions is a real testament to the work that we do,” Morin says. “I think the sense of community here is very appealing to students, as well as how diverse our perspective on creating art is. Each student can focus on their unique artistic interest.”
The college has launched several new programs in recent years as well, including fashion and apparel design, and animation. Its design programs have been recognized nationally and regionally for several years by Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) and Animation Career Review magazines, including a 2024 designation as a Top Design School by GDUSA
And in 2023, the college completed a $10 million capital campaign, funding scholarships and facility improvements, like MIAD’s new Lubar Centers for Innovation and Emerging Technology, where students can work with the latest in art and design tech.
“The campaign is allowing us to stay on the leading edge,” says Morin. “We’re always looking to improve. We have the capacity to continue growing and we have confidence in the great work we’re doing for our students and community.” ◆
“ There’s a strong sense of community here at MIAD. We’re committed to our core values. ”
JEFFREY MORIN