TeenTix Executive Director to Step Down

The TeenTix Board of Directors announced today that Executive Director Holly Arsenault has decided to leave her position at the end of October 2016. Under Arsenault's direction since 2005, TeenTix has transformed from a program of Seattle Center Productions into an independent non-profit organization and a nationally recognized model for youth arts engagement, serving more than 78,000 teens. Average monthly TeenTix ticket sales have grown from 23 per month in 2005 to more than 1,100.

Launched as 15-minute "rush" ticketing for teens at 10 organizations, TeenTix now offers $5 day-of-show tickets, 2-for-$10 days and special events, with a total of 64 partner organizations. During her tenure, Arsenault also developed Arts Journalism 101, Culture Writing 101, The Teeny Awards, The New Guard: Teen Arts Leadership Society, the TeenTix Press Corps and launched TeenTix.org, which has become a valuable resource for arts lovers of all ages.

Arsenault leaves TeenTix in a healthy financial position, with a strong board of directors and advisory board, and talented and growing staff. In April, TeenTix announced the launch of Teens Count: The Teen Audiences Knowledge Project. Supported by Boeing and the Nesholm Family Foundation, Teens Count will leverage TeenTix's network of 64 partnered arts organization to gather actionable data about teens who do-and do not yet-attend the arts, in order to help the arts sector better serve youth who have historically been cut off from arts opportunities. Teens Count is the first project of its kind, nationally.

"I have grown up at this organization. I started working here on my 26th birthday, and this year I will turn 37," said Arsenault. "I am incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to spend the last decade doing the deeply fulfilling work of helping young people make their voices heard in the arts community. I have gotten to work with extraordinary colleagues, mentors, and young leaders, and I am so grateful for the lessons each one of them has taught me. Finally, I am thankful to have the opportunity to leave TeenTix in such a healthy, supported way. I could not be more excited for the future of this organization, and I look forward to helping in whatever ways I can."

"We cannot express our gratitude and admiration for Holly enough," said Board President John Merner. "I have personally watched Holly take a tiny program, develop a vision to empower teen arts participants in a powerful way, and make that vision a reality."

The board begins the search for Arsenault's replacement today, and hopes to have the new Executive Director in place by the end of September. The TeenTix board includes Merner, John Bradshaw and Karen Bystrom. The job description and application process is available at teentix.org.

Arsenault was recognized on Puget Sound Business Journal's 2015 '40 under 40,' list, which celebrates outstanding local business leaders, and was named by ParentMap magazine as a 2016 Superhero for Washington kids. In 2013, Holly was profiled in the Seattle Times/KUOW series '13 for 13,' featuring 13 arts leaders "poised to shape the future of the arts in the Northwest." In 2014, TeenTix received Seattle's Mayor's Arts Award in the Future Focus category from Mayor Ed Murray.

Arsenault, also a playwright, will pursue her writing and other opportunities. She plans to remain in Seattle with her husband, Matthew Richter, the City of Seattle's Cultural Space Liaison, and their son, Isadore.

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