Teen Tix, Seattle Center's innovative arts access program for teenagers, is pleased to announce the addition of Seattle Symphony Orchestra as a Participating Venue. Teen Tix members may attend eligible Seattle Symphony events at a special rate for the remaining 2008-09 season, and the SSO will be included in a range of Teen Tix media.

Seattle Symphony joins an impressive list of new participants, including Seattle Arts and Lectures, Unexpected Productions, Northwest Film Forum, Seattle Musical Theatre and Washington Ensemble Theatre, who have joined since the fall of 2008. The number of Participating Venues now stands at 31.

Teen Tix engages young people in the arts in ways that encourage and support further arts exploration. The hope is to expose teenagers to new creative experiences, while building future audiences for the arts. The program makes it possible for over 25,000 registered members, ages 13

- 18, to purchase $5.00 day-of-event tickets. Nearly 4,000 Teen Tix were sold in 2008, up from 2,500 in 2007.

In addition to affordable access to performing and visual arts, Teen Tix offers a website, weekly e-newsletter, special opportunities to meet artists and learn more about partnering venues, workshops on critical journalism and other on-line options, including a members blog (www.teentix.blogspot.com), for teens to share thoughts and perspectives on their arts experiences.

A primary objective of Teen Tix is to reach underserved youth. Seattle Center partners with several community organizations assisting children and families to help teenagers learn about Teen Tix. It offers incentives, instructions on audience etiquette, and directions and maps to venues - all in order to simplify and demystify the arts experience.

Any teenager 13 to 18 years of age may register for membership in Teen Tix. Teens from throughout Western Washington have made use of the program. For more information on Teen Tix, contact Teen Tix Program Manager Pete Rush at 206 233.2608 or click on www.seattlecenter.com/teentix.

About Seattle Center

Seattle Center draws you in. Its vibrant pulse brings together people of all ages and walks of life to create thousands of extraordinary experiences that enrich millions of lives each year. Entertainment options abound -starting with 63 free and low cost public programs and over 5,000 campus shows and events annually. The 74 -acre campus, with its 17 acres of open space, is welcoming to all -and is home to more than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations. This treasured urban gathering place exists to delight and inspire the human spirit in each person and bring our rich and varied community together. The 12 million visitors to Seattle Center each year generate $1.15 billion in business activity and $387 million in labor income for King County. For more information, visit http://www.seattlecenter.com.