WHAT IS THE NEW GUARD?

The New Guard: Teen Arts Leadership Society trains teens to become the next generation of arts leaders. New Guardians connect with fellow teen arts-goers to explore the arts and culture in our community and learn from the people who make it happen.

There are usually 8 - 12 teens in the New Guard each year, ages 13 - 19, spanning grades 8 through early college students. As long as you are a teen, you can participate!

Participation in the New Guard includes attending one meeting and one arts outing at a TeenTix Arts Partner each month. At the monthly meetings, you’ll reflect on the recent arts outing, support TeenTix Arts Partners in developing their teen-centric programming and communication, and discuss arts equity and social justice. New Guardians also act as ambassadors for TeenTix and arts-going in their own community - AND YOU GET PAID TO DO THIS!

THE NEW GUARD IS ALL ABOUT:

COMMUNITY BUILDING

Seeing art together is essential to being a member of the New Guard. The group builds community through engaging in and reflecting on shared arts experiences. New Guard meetings will focus on the most recent arts outing, and New Guardians will provide valuable feedback to TeenTix Arts Partners about the teen experience in their spaces.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

TeenTix New Guardians also are invited to join task forces (typically lasting 1 - 3 months) throughout the year and support TeenTix-produced events such as the Teeny Awards (fall) and the Teen Arts and Opportunity Fair (June). Task force participation is optional, and includes building skills involved in non-profit arts management, fundraising, marketing, outreach, and event production.

TEEN LEADERSHIP

New Guardians have many leadership opportunities throughout the year. At each Arts Outing, they’ll lead their peers and teens from a partner organization in an icebreaker activity to build community while seeing art together. They also develop arts advocacy skills by sharing their voices with arts leaders and representatives from different Partner Organizations.

CENTERING YOUTH VOICES

Teens in TeenTix programs are considered leaders at our organization. Teens are the heart and soul of TeenTix and keep the organization on-track with what young people actually need and want in the arts world. Our teen leaders are regularly invited to support TeenTix’s growth and development as an organization by participating in interviews for new TeenTix staff, sharing information with our executive leadership and Board of Directors, representing TeenTix at community panels and events, and building community across TeenTix programs. They participate in discussions about TeenTix’s success in engaging teen arts audiences, the development of TeenTix programs, and ways to further TeenTix’s reach.

Since its launch in 2006, The New Guard has nurtured hundreds of young leaders who have gone on to contribute to their communities as artists, journalists, activists, arts administrators, politicians, scientists, lawyers, and entrepreneurs.

    Program FAQ's are at the bottom of this page. Check out a full program description here. But if we didn't actually answer EVERYTHING and you have more questions please contact:

    Coco Allred
    Teen Programs Specialist
    coco@teentix.org | 206.233.3959

    Mariko Smithashima
    Teen Programs Director
    mariko@teentix.org | 206.233.3959

    WHAT WILL I ACTUALLY DO?

    • Connect with local arts leaders & arts workers to talk about their career path in the arts

    • Find out more about what goes on behind the scenes at an arts organization

    • Share your experience and be an ambassador for TeenTix and arts access in your own community

    • Develop arts advocacy skills

    • Learn how social justice and racial equity intersect with being an active participant in the arts

    • Navigate transportation in the city when coming to TeenTix HQ, and when seeing art at TeenTix Partners

    • Explore different neighborhoods and the arts experiences offered there

    • Learn what it takes to put on an event and how to raise money for something you are passionate about!

    SCHEDULE

    The New Guard attends one meeting and one arts outing a month as a group.

    Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesdays of the month from 5:00-7:00 pm, at the Seattle Center in the Armory Building (305 Harrison St, Seattle WA 98109). The first meeting of the year will be Wednesday, September 13th.

    Arts outings are held on the 4th Friday or Saturday of each month, at various TeenTix Arts Partners in the greater Seattle area.

    For the full schedule click here.

    In-person participation will be expected for the 2023/24 school year. Occasional Zoom participation can be accommodated upon request.

    TeenTix follows COVID safety regulations as suggested by the CDC, as the safety of the young people in our community is our top priority. In-person requirements are subject to change.

      COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS

      • Show up! Attend meetings & engage/talk/discuss/react & be YOURSELF!

      • Actively participate in discussions on social justice & arts equity

      • Serve as a teen ambassador to a TeenTix Partner Organization

      • Be active on email for all primary group communication

      • Be an ambassador for TeenTix in the community

      • Participate in all New Guard events and projects

      • Be a current TeenTix Member (SIGN UP NOW - IT'S FREE!!). You must be between 13-19 years old.


      ATTENDANCE

      Attendance at monthly meetings and group art outings is essential to participation in the New Guard. After 3 missed events or a lack of communication around absences, Program Staff will reach out to discuss your continuing participation.

      STIPENDS

      New Guardians have the opportunity to earn up to $380 for their participation throughout the program each year.

      In addition to attending 9 events throughout the year for free (TeenTix will pay for your ticket!), New Guardians earn a $30 stipend each month for:

      • Attending meetings and Arts Outings - $10

      • Participating and staying engaged at all events - $10

      • Communicating with Program Staff as needed - $5

      New Guardians also receive a fall and spring stipend to support wellness and transportation costs. The fall stipend (Sept-Dec) is $40, and the spring stipend (Jan-June) is $60.

      Teens in all TeenTix programs are required to attend an Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist workshop in the fall and spring. Teens receive a $5 stipend for attendance and participation in these workshops.

      New Guard stipends are dispensed each semester. Fall stipends will be paid in December, and spring stipends will be paid in June. Members will have an opportunity to choose between a stipend or service learning hours for their participation in the New Guard.

      Your stipend will be reduced for:

      • Missing a meeting or arts event

      • Not communicating with Program Staff

      • Not participating during the meetings (see above for participation expectations)

      Members will have an opportunity to choose between a stipend or service learning hours for their participation in the New Guard.

      What does the New Guard do?

      • See art together! New Guardians attend one arts event a month at different TeenTix Partners.
      • Share direct teen feedback about their experiences with TeenTix Partners.
        Host TeenTix Instagram Takeovers
        Be the first to hear about special TeenTix opportunities and events
      • Learn how social justice and racial equity intersect with being an active participant in the arts
      • Share their experience and be an ambassador for TeenTix and arts access in your own community
      • Navigate transportation in the city when coming to TeenTix HQ, and when seeing art at TeenTix Partners
      • Explore different neighborhoods and the arts experiences offered there

      FAQ's

      How do I apply to join The New Guard?
      Applications for the 22/23 New Guard are now closed. Stay tuned in Spring 2023 for applications for the 23/24 New Guard!

      How old do I have to be to join The New Guard?

      You must be between 13 - 19 years old to apply for The New Guard.

      Do I have to be a TeenTix member to apply for The New Guard?
      Yes! And TeenTix membership is completely free - JOIN NOW!

      How much does it cost to participate in The New Guard?
      Participation in The New Guard is FREE—all costs are covered through fundraising by New Guard members and TeenTix staff.

      Do I have to have arts experience to do this?
      No! All you need is interest in learning more about arts leadership. Some New Guard participants come from arts backgrounds, and some don’t.

      What's the deal with the stipend vs. service learning hours?
      New Guardians are eligible for a stipend or can decide to receive service learning (volunteer) hours. To earn service learning hours talk to TeenTix's Executive Director. Please note - you must be 14+ to be eligible to receive the stipend.

      What if I can't make all the meetings?
      We all have super busy schedules - so we get it! However, we do have a participation policy - please see the Participation Expectations section above for details.

      Can I leave the New Guard for a year and come back?
      Of course! We do ask that you reapply, but make a note that you are a previous member and let us know why you are ready to re-join so we can take that into consideration.

      For more information, please email the New Guard Leadership Board or call 206-233-3959.

      Thanks to our New Guard Alumni! We miss you!!!

      Check out the list here!

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