Forget the cake, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design celebrated its 40th birthday with something bigger to cut into – the 80 cascading ribbons for Two50Two, MIAD’s state-of-the-art (and design) residence hall.
Helping make the cut was Mayor Tom Barrett, who joined the participatory and visually thrilling Ribbon Cutting Wednesday, August 27, 3:30 p.m. at 252 E. Menomonee Street, across from the college’s main academic building.
“In gathering for the ribbon cutting,” said MIAD President Neil Hoffman, “we celebrate the vision of the college’s founders, the generosity of its supporters and partners, the accomplishments of its alumni, the hard work of its students, faculty and staff, and the trust and support of its parents.”
Pooling $100 of their own money and taking no salaries, seven founders established a college known for a tradition of education excellence and lifelong dedication to students and alumni.
The applied creative talents of MIAD alumni and students are widely acknowledge to have fueled the growth of the Historic Third Ward neighborhood, and played a key role in its naming as one of America’s Top Twelve ArtPlaces in 2013.
They are also key to MIAD being the only college in the U.S. included in a 2014 book by the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) based on its impact beyond the Third Ward to the region’s design cluster and creative economy.
MIAD’s most recent milestone – Two50Two – was designed specifically for the college’s students by Engberg Anderson Architects and developed by General Capital Group.
The Ribbon Cutting celebrated the impressive five-floor sustainable building, complete with fully furnished two-bedroom suites, each accommodating four students with a living room, kitchen, two bathrooms and state-of-the-art amenities.
Two50Two also has areas for display of student and other works included within suites, hallways and floor lounges. Enhancing the student experience further, Blick Art Materials (now open!) is a major business on the ground level. Blick will help celebrate the Ribbon Cutting and its own August 27 Grand Opening with a variety of activities, including vendor demonstrations.
Read more at miad.edu/MIADat40.
Read what Urban Milwaukee had to say about the visually stunning event.