Megan Mantia (’06 Printmaking & Art History)
A collaborative Producer and Art Department Coordinator whose bicoastal career shapes contemporary visual culture by bringing ambitious creative visions to life.
has built a career rooted in collaboration, creativity, and behind-the-scenes impact shaping some of the most recognizable moments in contemporary visual culture.
Working in high-level production and pursuing roles in art department coordination and direction, Mantia has contributed to music videos for Adele () and Drake () and collaborated with A$AP Rocky, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé, including an unreleased video for Beyoncé’s landmark album , demonstrating how her inclusive, team-focused approach has brought her to the industry’s highest levels.
She credits her time at the 91 with laying the foundation for her collaborative approach. “I would say that 91 was one of the happiest times of my life,” she said. “I wanted something that felt homey and intimate, and it gave me all of that. I met people who have influenced my life forever.”
Mantia quickly found her creative footing on campus, where printmaking and the creative freedom it offered began to reshape her path. Although she initially envisioned a future in museums, gaining hands-on experience through internships at the H&R Block Artspace (now the ), the , and the , a growing spirit of exploration expanded her horizons and came to define her 91 experience.
“I would say that 91 was one of the happiest times of my life. I wanted something that felt homey and intimate, and it gave me all of that. I met people who have influenced my life forever.”
From Liberal Arts classes that she says “changed my brain forever” to mentorship from faculty like bookmaking professor , Mantia attributes her discovery of both her voice and her community to her time at 91.
Her time at school was also defined by bold advocacy. As one of the longest-running members of the radical cheerleading group Rah Booty!, Mantia helped merge performance and activism in ways that became legendary within the 91 community and even drew national attention through an MTV contest appearance.
Collaborative Force
After graduation, fellow alum reached out about a film project at , opening the door to a new direction in Mantia’s career. Immersed in the collaborative, experimental environment there, she gained her first deep experience in production and set the tone for everything that followed.
In Kansas City, Mantia became a key force in the region’s creative ecosystem. She spent three years assisting artist on the ambitious project across both Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas, and later served on the board of the , advocating for the city’s expanding film community.
Mantia has played a central role in bringing major productions to Kansas City, coordinating projects such as music video, hosting the for a local shoot, and managing the scrappy, pandemic-era production of Each project reinforced her reputation as a connector who can bring people together to make ambitious ideas happen.
Grammy Recognition
That collaborative spirit came full circle in a recent project with Critcheloe for Perfume Genius’s album . The album cover and music videos shoot, held in Raytown, Missouri, featured an all-alumni crew, including , , and , affectionately dubbed “The Three Musketeers.” The project went on to earn a , marking a milestone for Mantia and her extended 91 network.
Now based in Los Angeles, she continues work with big-name artists, each production reinforcing her reputation for bringing complex creative visions to life through collaborative teamwork.
“I have found so much joy in collaboration. Not doing everything alone and knowing that you don't have to carry the burden of all art processes by yourself is really huge. That should be emphasized more, because having a village is a really beautiful thing,” Mantia said.
Alongside her work on global stages, Mantia remains deeply committed to Kansas City’s creative future. She continues producing projects with local director Christopher Good and is developing a new feature film, “Fear of Sleep”, with potential for a debut in the coming years.
Image: Glory, Perfume Genius (2025)