Giant Magnet's executive director let go

Giant Magnet, formerly known as Seattle International Children's Festival, has let go its executive director of 14 years.

Andrea Wagner was let go Friday, said Teresa Gallo, president of the board.

"The board is basically seeking new leadership," Gallo said. "We want to set a new course for the organization that takes advantage of our reputation for world-class global programming and expands our audiences and fundraising capabilities."

Gallo declined to give more details.

Wagner could not be reached for comment.

The 23-year-old organization is known mainly for its nearly weeklong festival featuring performers — theater artists, puppeteers, dancers, musicians — from around the world.

Giant Magnet had just announced its name change this spring — a reflection that the festival isn't just for young children and that the organization has other programs, including placing artists in local public schools, Gallo said.

In recent years, the organization had run relatively small deficits, but finished its last fiscal year with a small profit, Gallo said.