Rebecca Hoogs

About Rebecca Hoogs

I am a storyteller, poet, curator, word-nerd, and (always learning) leader. I love ideas-and seeing ideas come to life. For 20 years I have worked at Seattle Arts & Lectures, a literary non-profit. Over those years, I have worked in leadership, education, programming, curation, events management, community engagement and partnerships, marketing and communications, brand development, evaluation, budgeting and financial management, fundraising and sponsorships, strategic planning, education, DEI, and much more. SAL\'s budget in 2026 is now 4.3 million and we have a staff of 17. In 2021, I became the organization\'s 6th Executive Director. I host many of our events and am known for my public speaking, personal introductions, and onstage interviews. I serve as on-stage and streaming host for the organization\'s 20+ events each year at venues ranging from 800 - people (with many more online). Over the years I have hosted writers, thinkers, and celebrities including Tom Hanks, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Melinda French Gates, Patti Smith, Barbara Kingsolver, Pete Souza, Salman Rushdie, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Connie Chung, Billie Jean King, and many, many moreFor a decade, I also taught a study abroad program through the University of Washington which takes 24 student to Rome for a month-long immersion into creative writing and the creative process. I have an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA in Literature from University of Washington. I am the author of a chapbook,\"Grenade,\" and a full-length collection,\"Self-Storage,\" which was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Seattle Arts & Lectures

   Oct 2021 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

Education

• University of Washington

  MFA/MA, Creative Writing/Literature

  1999 — 2004

• Colby College

  Bachelor's degree, English/Women's Studies

  1993 — 1997

Skills

• Strategic Planning
• Curriculum Design
• Curatorial Projects
• Study Abroad Programs
• Event Management
• Higher Education
• Poetry
• K-12 Education
• Community Organizing
• Program Development
• Arts Administration
• Newsletters
• Social Media
• Curating
• Web Content Writing
• Youth Development
• Strategic Communications
• Program Management
• Web Content
• Teacher Training
• Publishing
• Curriculum Development
• Event Planning
• Publications
• Content Strategy
• Fundraising
• Teaching
• Hosting Events
• Copy Editing
• Proofreading
• Program Evaluation
• Teaching Writing
• Creative Writing
• Literature
• Blogging
• Editing