Meet Team Manifest
Team Manifest (left to right) Emma Hoffman, Izzie Rutledge, Elisha Dennard, Trisa Colon, and Giovanna Martin.Manifest Arts Festival is a campus tradition like no other. The end-of-semester celebration brings together creatives from across all disciplines to celebrate one another’s hard work. This year’s Manifest theme is Unlocked, and students are encouraged to unlock their full creative potential.
What makes it even more special: students are the driving force behind the event. Not only is their work on display during the festival, but for months behind the scenes, a team of dedicated students puts together all the pieces to make Manifest the success it is.
Get to know the five students who make up Team Manifest for 2023 and how they’re making the festival special.
Trisa Colon ‘23, Arts Management, Student Assistant Producer
What are you looking forward to most about Manifest Unlocked 2023?
The Steamroller Printmaking that Taylor Hokanson's sculpture students will demoing! Using a "small" steam roller to make art is just so wild to imagine and will be exciting to see done.
What do you like about being the student assistant producer?
I enjoy solving puzzles, and that's a lot of what my position requires as I assist the Manifest project and strategic managers. It's also the perfect blend of remote work, professional autonomy, and wonderful people to co-work with and bounce ideas off of.
What have you learned from your position in planning Manifest?
It's really been great getting more hands-on experience with the organizational, data, and over-all backend side of large-scale events. My goal after graduation is to work within nonprofits and eventually start my own. A key factor to being successful in event management is to successfully fundraise and garner support for your nonprofit.
What should people know about Manifest 2023?
Make sure you, your family, friends, and any other guests are sure to check theManifest website regularly and often! All the information, including the upcoming mobile app for creating your own personal event schedule, is there and is being updated as we have it.
Why is Manifest so important to the Columbia community?
Something I hear a lot from first year students (be it first-year college or transfers) is how hard it can be to find your community in school or on campus outside of your program. I've said it myself, especially in community college. Manifest is a way to connect by getting to mingle with people at the different events and exhibits that clearly share your interests! It also helps foster an appreciation for the work and time you and your classmates are putting in. Getting to see it showcased in such a unique and large-scale and professional way is something few schools offer, and if they do it's for graduating masters and alumni students, not graduating undergrads.
Elisha Dennard ‘23, Arts Management, Programming Intern
What are you looking forward to most about Manifest Unlocked 2023?
I am looking forward to who the headliner will be at Manifest!
What do you like about being the programming intern?
I am able to engage and network with other students about being involved in Manifest.
What have you learned from your position in planning Manifest?
I have learned that it takes a lot of patience dealing with student involvement and food trucks.
What should people know about Manifest 2023?
Manifest is an exciting event that you won’t forget!
Why is Manifest so important to the Columbia community?
It is important because Manifest is that one specific festival where seniors are able to showcase their work before graduation.
Emma Hoffman ‘23, Film and Television BFA, Digital Media Intern
What are you looking forward to most about Manifest Unlocked 2023?
I'm looking forward to students being able to see the talent of their peers and to enjoy the wide variety of arts the college offers.
What do you like about being the digital media intern?
As digital media intern, my role consists of using the creative director's graphical assets to create a cohesive trailer and mini-series theme to provide insight to the festival. I'm excited to make unique branding videos this year and our LED screen backgrounds for our Main Stage Performers.
What have you learned from your position in planning Manifest?
Last year, I learned the importance of staying flexible and on your toes, especially in the final days leading up to the event. Changes and problems are inevitable, but as the Manifest team, it’s our job ito ensure these hiccups do not impact the attendees' experience or the safety of the festival.
What should people know about Manifest 2023?
We can't put Manifest on without your help, and the easiest way to help is showing up and enjoying the event. We love to hear what's successful and where we can improve, and with such a wide variety of showcases, music, and activities, there is something for everyone!
Why is Manifest so important to the Columbia community?
Manifest cultivates unity among the Columbia community. We are an untraditional institution, and Manifest is when we can take pride in that as we show off our craft and talents. What better way to support our peers than experiencing their art forms firsthand?
Giovanna Martin '23, Illustration, Creative Director
What are you looking forward to most about Manifest Unlocked 2023?
I am really happy to celebrate with all of my friends and family. I can’t wait to watch them in awe. Especially after all the hard work I put into my career these past few years. I love to share the excitement of others' accomplishments too. We’ve all worked so hard.
What do you like about being the Manifest creative director?
I love that I create the vision and theme. It reminds me of why I started creating in the first place! This year was rather transformative for me. I find that it reflects a lot of people's experience in senior year. So, I wanted to showcase that in this year's theme. We all have something unique to unlock inside all of us.
What have you learned from your position in planning Manifest?
Boy, a better question is what didn’t I learn! I am relatively independent and self-starting; it took a lot of reflection to recognize I don’t have to do everything on my own. Julide, my boss, has been such a fantastic help. Leaning on people and asking for help is what promotes growth!
What should people know about Manifest 2023?
It's a labor of love. This festival has touched so many hands. It takes all of us to put on such an amazing festival. The Manifest team makes the festival, but it takes the community to make it shine. Take the time and stop by!
Why is Manifest so important to the Columbia community?
Manifest is vital to the campus. Manifest is the first thing you hear when you are touring the school. That gives incoming students a sense of purpose. When it finally arrives it’s a sense of relief. The end of a chapter and subsequently the start of a new beginning for the Columbia community.
Izzie Rutledge ‘24, Journalism, Marketing Intern
What are you looking forward to most about Manifest Unlocked 2023?
I am very excited to see all of the live performances by Columbia musicians. There are rare opportunities where I am able to go out and hear the many talents of music majors.
What do you like about being the Manifest marketing intern?
I'm a very visual person, so getting to work with posters and social media designs is right up my alley. I've also really enjoyed the collaborative aspect of planning prior to Manifest. I get to help make decisions for the festival, which is such a cool opportunity that few other students have.
What have you learned from your position in planning Manifest?
I've definitely learned the importance of communication. So many different factors, departments, events. etc. go into planning and marketing the festival and it can easily get mixed up. Email is both my best friend and my enemy.
What should people know about Manifest 2023?
Manifest is not just a music festival! While there are many amazing acts, make sure you take time to view all of the other incredible work in every department. Show some love to the many arts Columbia students represent.
Why is Manifest so important to the Columbia community?
Manifest is the one time of year where doors are open to Columbia students and staff but also outside guests and south loop community members. We get to showcase our work in a professional and fun environment and receive recognition for all of our hard work.