In this episode of High Agency, we sit down with Tom Wright, General Director of Vancouver Opera, to explore what it takes to lead a centuries-old art form through a period of rapid cultural, economic, and technological change. Tom shares how a childhood immersed in music and theatre evolved into a lifelong career in arts leadership, and how his experiences across Canada and the United States shaped his approach to innovation, audience development, and cultural stewardship.
We unpack the financial realities facing arts organizations, the challenge of balancing artistic risk with sustainability, and why opera continues to resonate in an era defined by algorithms, fragmented attention, and shifting cultural expectations. Tom discusses the importance of community engagement, Indigenous partnerships, arts education, and creating pathways for the next generation of performers, creators, and audiences.
From reimagining audience access to advocating for arts infrastructure in Vancouver, this conversation explores why culture remains essential to civic life and what it means to preserve tradition while embracing change.
Featuring
Tom Wright
General Director
Vancouver Opera
Tom Wright is the General Director of Vancouver Opera, one of Canada's leading opera companies and the largest professional opera company in Western Canada. With more than two decades of senior arts leadership experience across Canada and the United States, he has overseen the creation of more than 50 opera productions and guided Vancouver Opera through a period of significant transformation. His leadership has included navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding audience engagement, advancing Indigenous partnerships, and advocating for new arts infrastructure in Vancouver. Raised in North Vancouver and trained at the Banff School of Fine Arts, Tom is a passionate advocate for opera as a living, evolving art form and cultural beacon.
Hosted by
Mo Dhaliwal
CEO
Skyrocket Digital
Software engineer turned marketer, Mo is an entrepreneur, cultural curator, and technologist. In his role as founder and CEO of Skyrocket Digital, he helps clients with business, brand, and technology to launch new ideas and grow their businesses.
—
High Agency: Conversations that Drive Growth and Transformation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highagencypod/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/high-agency-pod
X: https://x.com/highagencypod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highagencypod
—
Presented by Skyrocket Digital
Skyrocket is the digital agency for ambitious leaders. Our capabilities empower business and marketing leaders with the confidence to launch new initiatives, grow their brands, and undergo the transformation necessary to achieve breakthrough results.
