Ashley Daniel Foot

September's speaker will be engagement & EDI specialist, 
arts producer, educator, communications strategist, and broadcaster Ashley Daniel Foot. who will share reflections on creativity and his career in film, music, and opera.

Ashley Daniel Foot is Vancouver Opera’s Director of Engagement and Civic Practice. Boundlessly creative and fascinated by the way that art is created and presented, Ashley has guided arts organizations across Canada to craft messages and tell unique stories. At Vancouver Opera, Ashley carefully develops all programming that takes place off the mainstage and looks for unique and unexpected ways to highlight the power of opera in the community. He also manages all education, community partnerships, and guides the company’s commitment to justice, equity, reconciliation, and diversity. He’s particularly proud of his recent collaborations with the Vancouver Public Library, BC Alliance for Arts and Culture, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Rumble Theatre. He is also the co-chair of the City of Vancouver’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

As usual, we asked Ashley some probing questions to give us a deeper glimpse into his life and relationship with creativity:

How do you define creativity and apply it in your life and career?

Creativity, for me, is about finding unique and impactful ways to engage and inspire others by pushing boundaries and weaving together diverse elements. At Vancouver Opera, I develop initiatives and partnerships that make art more accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. Influenced by my love for films, books, and music, as well as my background in teaching, I strive to blend traditional art forms with modern techniques and diverse cultural perspectives to enrich the cultural landscape.

Where do you find your best creative inspiration or energy?

I find my best creative inspiration and energy from the natural beauty of British Columbia, where the stunning landscapes fuel my imagination. Reading fascinating books, watching amazing films and series, and experiencing as many live performances as possible—sometimes as many as four times a week—also play significant roles, providing endless narratives and perspectives that spark my creativity. These sources, combined with the vibrant cultural scene around me, constantly inspire my work and artistic endeavours.

What’s one piece of creative advice or a tip you wish you’d known as a young person?

Not speaking right away is often the wisest way forward. Taking time to listen and be patient will be infinitely more rewarding than charging forward without all the contexts and info that could be most useful.

Who (living or dead) would you most enjoy hearing speak at CreativeMornings?

Film director Paul Thomas Anderson has had a fascinating and chameleonic career and I’d wanna hear more about is practice.

What fact about you would surprise people?

I dream of being a lighthouse keeper or a fire spotter.

How would you describe what you do in a single sentence to a stranger?

I connect people together to see what sparks and creativity might bloom.

Where was the last place you travelled?

Gabriola Island for a week of pure beauty, silence, and almost no wifi or cell signal. It was just bliss.