What does curiosity look like in arts leadership?
In the Curiosity at Work podcast episode #30 Curiosity in Arts & Lecture with Rebecca Hoogs, Dr. Julie Pham speaks with Rebecca Hoogs, Executive Director of Seattle Arts & Lectures, about curiosity as a core leadership value.
Rebecca’s path through nonprofit management and poetry offers a powerful reminder: curiosity is not just a mindset. It is a practice.
In this conversation, Julie and Rebecca explore:
• Why listening and asking better questions are essential leadership skills
• How curiosity shapes community and audience engagement
• The tension between problem-solving and staying open
• The role of moderation and active listening in public conversations
• Why paying writers strengthens the local creative economy
• How poetry and creative writing are rooted in curiosity
Leadership is not only about direction. It is about creating space for others to share their stories.
Rebecca reminds us how curiosity fuels arts leadership and helps leaders slow down, listen more deeply, and build stronger communities. What happens when you slow down?
Find all more Curiosity at Work podcast episodes at https://curiositybased.com/category/curiosity-at-work-podcast/.
