TeenTix Announces Leadership Transition

The TeenTix Board of Directors have announced that after eight highly successful years of executive leadership, Monique Courcy will step down from her role in Fall 2024. The Board has engaged Kayti Barnett-O'Brien from Scandiuzzi Krebs to join TeenTix to support operations as Interim Executive Director beginning September 2, while the Board prepares for the search for TeenTix's next Executive Director. 

Founded in 2004 by Seattle Center, TeenTix is a longstanding cultural anchor within Seattle -  born from a collective vision that youth participation and leadership in the arts are central to the future of our city. TeenTix has a mission to build a bright future for our region by empowering young people to take an active role in shaping their arts community as critics, creators, advocates, patrons, and leaders.

TeenTix creates access to free and $5 tickets for teens to attend local arts events and performances, and offers access to workforce development and mentorship opportunities for teens interested in a career in the arts and culture sector. Monique’s leadership fortified our core Pass Program and New Guard teen leadership council, drove the revitalization of the TeenTix Press Corps, and catalyzed the creation of the  TeenTix Arts Podcast (TAP), Mentorship for Teen Artists of Color (M-TAC), and the new Youth Career Development Program .

“Monique has been an exceptional leader, and all of us at TeenTix are  grateful for her contributions. Her impact cannot be overstated.” said Board President Andre Gougisha. “Over the past several years, Board leadership worked with Monique to proactively develop a thoughtful succession plan. I’m confident we will implement a smooth, phased leadership transition combining Monique’s input, interim support from Kayti, and a robust search for a new Executive Director.”

Gougisha added, “TeenTix has experienced significant growth during Monique’s eight-year tenure. She broadened TeenTix's footprint by focusing on expanding partnerships while intentionally centering teen leadership in our programs.”

“ArtsFund has been a supporter of TeenTix for years and we appreciate the leadership that Monique has brought to the organization,” said Michael Greer, ArtsFund President and CEO. “We look forward to continuing to watch TeenTix provide invaluable service to young people in the region and are excited to see the next phase of leadership. The organization is moving from strength to strength, and we are proud to be a supporter.”

For many reasons, the time is right to make space for new leadership to help TeenTix make its next big leap. Under Courcy’s leadership:

• Revenue grew by 344%.
• During the pandemic, TeenTix continued to position teen engagement in a way that opened new doors for teens and the organization to lead in necessary change at a time of great challenges in the arts and youth services communities.
• Programs expanded  to include paid mentorships and internships for teen artists and leaders, as well as additional in-school programming, including 12 paid internships in Summer 2024.
• The Los Angeles TeenTix chapter launched in 2021, the first outside Washington State.

“My decision to leave TeenTix was difficult, but I believe that new leadership at this time is an opportunity for TeenTix to make its next big leap,” said Courcy. “I am taking time to focus on family and artistic priorities that have taken a back seat over the last few years and I appreciate the board’s willingness to work with me to make this a successful transition.”

“The Board is forever grateful to Monique for the years of care and guidance she has brought to TeenTix, its members, and their families,” said Gougisha. “We will miss her and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

“My work has been so fulfilling, and I continue to believe wholeheartedly in TeenTix, the youth we work with, our staff, our mission, and the breadth of impact we have on teens in our community,” added Courcy. “I’ve had incredible experiences working with colleagues and partners to ensure that youth voices are centered, heard, and incorporated into the fabric of our cultural community.”

About TeenTix

To date, TeenTix has engaged more than 170,000 teens in more than 200,000 arts and cultural experiences at 150+ Arts and Community Partners.

Founded by and operating as a program of  Seattle Center in 2004, TeenTix began creating partnerships beyond the Center in 2006 and established its own independent not-for-profit organization with 501c3 status in 2017. TeenTix is now a 20 year old institution working to ensure teens are prioritized in the arts and cultural sector.

TeenTix partners now include 150 organizations spanning King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties, ranging from Tacoma Art Museum, Pork Filled Players, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Art Museum, Jet City Improv, Edmonds Center for the Arts, Seattle Opera, Wing Luke Museum, Oly Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Tacoma Arts Live, 5th Avenue Theatre,  A Contemporary Theatre (ACT), and more.

Program offerings have expanded to now include six opportunities for teens to build skills in arts leadership, journalism, new media production, and seek workforce development opportunities in nonprofit administration, marketing, and community engagement.