In 2024, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design will begin a year of exhibitions, celebrations and more to commemorate 50 years of educating art and design students in the city.
“We look at this year as a year to celebrate our tradition of educational excellence, but also to focus on our community,” said MIAD President Jeffrey Morin. “We want to recognize this great history and promote MIAD's importance to Milwaukee.”
MIAD has been here since 1974, but its roots go back to Milwaukee. In 1920, Charlotte Partridge and Miriam Frink founded the Leighton School of Art in the basement of the Frederick Leighton Art Gallery. The university set high standards that continue to this day, becoming a pioneer in art education and establishing a reputation as one of the best schools of art and design education in the country.
When the school closed in the early 1970s, seven of Layton's faculty members founded their own independent college. Originally called the Milwaukee School of Art, it is now known as MIAD. “MIAD is built on the foundation established by the Layton School,” Morin said.
The Milwaukee School of the Arts opened on the corner of Chicago and Milwaukee streets with several small classes made up primarily of former Layton School students. The space was rented, and the teachers each chipped in $100 toward the cost. By the end of the first year, this new nonprofit university was fully accredited and the name was changed to MIAD.
The college moved to its current Third Ward location in 1992 and has grown steadily over the years, offering art and design education across many disciplines. Morin joined the university as president in 2015.
“When the presidential post became available, I immediately threw my hat in the ring,” Morin says. “I wanted to be part of a university that was forward-thinking, agile, and had a long history of community service.''
As president, Mr. Morin has led MIAD's unprecedented growth. From 2014 to 2019, the university's enrollment increased by 50%. “For the university to grow this much under today's conditions is a true testament to our commitment,” Morin said. “I think the sense of community here is very appealing to our students and how diverse our perspectives are on creating art. Each student focuses on their own artistic interests. can.”
The university has also launched several new programs in recent years, including fashion and apparel design and animation. Its design program has been recognized nationally and regionally for several years. graphic design america (GD USA) and Animation career review It has received high praise from magazines, including being designated as a top design school in 2024. GD USA.
– Jeffrey Morin
And in 2023, the university will fund 1,000 scholarships and facility improvements, including MIAD's new Lubar Center for Innovation and Emerging Technologies, where students can engage with the latest art and design techniques. Completed a $1 million capital campaign.
“This campaign allows us to stay on the cutting edge,” says Morin. “We are always looking to improve. We have the ability to continue to grow and are confident in the great work we are doing for our students and community.”
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design
273 E. Erie Street
414-847-3200
miad.edu
This story is part of “Milwaukee Magazine''March issue.
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