Rubi Fregoso

For the past 20 years Rubi has found joy as an arts educator and advocate working in formal and informal educational settings.  Her work has focused on building opportunities for young people to find their voice and empowering educators to use the arts to enrich their classrooms and harness the power of creativity to empower students to see themselves as community leaders. Her passion stems from early work as a community activist, where she learned the power of the arts to forge a space for community, identity and action.

Rubi is currently the Director of the Los Angeles office of Exploring the Arts (ETA), an organization that collaborates with and supports public school educators to build and expand sustainable arts programs.

Prior to joining ETA, Rubi was the coordinator for arts education with the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, working with 19 LAUSD schools. Her work centered on increasing arts equity through the development and implementation of an arts initiative focused on deep collaborations with school administrators, teachers, community arts partners, and by building on the District's established arts programs.

In addition she has worked with Woodcraft Rangers, building partnerships with universities and building STEAM curriculum for after-school programs, and KCET public television, elevating community stories and supporting early childhood educators.

Rubi started on her path in education as a film teacher at Van Nuys High School Performing Arts Magnet (LAUSD.) This experience established an infinite appreciation for the creativity and possibility of working with young people. Rubi attended CSU Long Beach and UCLA.