Kim Beckmann

kbeckman@uwm.eduArt 430B

• Art & Design
• Design & Visual Communication

Education

MFA, Printmaking/New Media, Cranbrook Academy Of Art
BFA, Graphic Design, Florida State University

Biography

The new and evolving design entrepreneurship curriculum in the Design & Visual Communication Program is directed and written by Associate Professor Kim Beckmann and Lecturer Amy Decker. This curriculum inspires students in ways that traditional assignments involving hypothetical clients simply do not, and culminates in exciting programming featuring a student pitch event and the public UWM Design Entrepreneur Showcase exhibition. The showcase features innovative products and services developed around the themes of water, energy, human ecology, safety, and education for Wisconsin residents.

In 2012 Kim Beckmann along with 5 other colleagues was selected to represent the Peck School of the Arts to attend the Symposium for Entrepreneurship Educators at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. In spring of that year she launched her sabbatical and research focus on design entrepreneurship pedagogy. While placemaking is still at the heart of her design and fine art practice, she has expanded her focus to include pedagogy for innovation and creating a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with her colleagues in business, engineering, art, architecture, and information studies. She is dedicated to creating new career opportunities and jobs for her students and the City of Milwaukee.

Kim Beckmann is currently an Associate Professor in Design & Visual Communication at the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has served as the Co-Area Head for the Design and Visual Communication Program (2009-2011 and 2014-2016), and as Associate Chair for the Department of Art & Design (fall 2011).

Recent Work