Meet Dylan, Fuse’s Executive Director. He is the mastermind behind everything Fuse
stands for and works towards. Dylan leads our Fuse Team, Crew, Group, and works with the Board of Directors. He has helped the organization grow from a handful of people to well over 80 in 2021! We’re so thankful for Dylan and his hard work over the years. We can’t wait for what the future holds! Keep reading to meet Dylan!
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Dylan and I have been with Fuse since the beginning. I like creating opportunities for others to creatively discover and explore.
Talk about your role and what you do at Fuse.
I am the Executive Director. My role is coordinating and connecting the Fuse Team, Fuse Crew, Fuse Group, and the Board of Directors. I focus on building strong internal and external relationships. I oversee our operations and forge a democratic environment where our members can have their voices heard and vote on what they want to do.
What was it about Fuse that made you want to be a part of it?
Lot of people, lot of fun.
What inspired you to become a part of Fuse’s arts opportunities?
Having directed both music and films, for me I was inspired to empower others to experiment and learn from one another.
What is your main arts discipline and how long have you been a part of it?
My first discipline was music and I’ve been with that for a while.
Tell us a little bit about your Fuse arts journey! How did you end up at Fuse?
I founded Fuse (formerly Vera Causa Opera) in 2015. My friends and I had been writing and creating art together and we decided to formalize our troop into an organization.
What has been your favourite memory/experience with Fuse?
I think my favourite memory has yet to be made. I’ve had so many incredible experiences and have worked with hundreds of artists. I love remembering all the different programs and thinking how cool it was.
What are three words to describe Fuse?
Empowering. Engaging. Fun.
What is your favourite part about working behind-the-scenes?
Getting to learn from others and explore complex ideas. Behind-the-scenes requires a lot of vision work, a sort of “calculated-dreaming" which I really enjoy. After having been at this for the better part of 7 years, I still find new creative avenues at Fuse – it's really great.
Which aspect of the transition to Fuse do you find the most exciting?
The people. Used to volunteer alongside 3 folks. Now there are 83... lol.
What do you want the community to know about Fuse?
Fuse is open to you and volunteering is worthwhile – you get to meet so many amazing people and enrich each other’s lives.
Has your experience creating art with Fuse changed due to the need to shift to COVID-compliant, socially-distanced alternatives? If so, how have you adapted?
All the films I had been working on this year have been rescheduled, so it has been difficult to maintain momentum. I look forward to getting back to filming while observing the new restrictions.
What do you hope to bring to the community through your work with Fuse?
A chance to engage with something different and exciting.
What about the inter-arts are you most passionate about?
Open framework. When we talk about our operations/art now, we don’t stick to a traditional fine art lens. We look at the creativity of architects, chefs, computer developers, and so much more with a new-found appreciation.
What are some ways you think the inter-arts positively affects our community?
Exposure to multiple creative forms enriches our lives more than a single form could. In an increasingly tunnel-visioned/echo-chambered world, we need an outlet that shatters our privileging of one art form above all others.
One of our values here at Fuse is to increase accessibility and inclusivity of art and arts programs. A way in which we do this is through our volunteer and community-building opportunities. We hope to continue engaging and including more folks in the Fuse journey for years to come. Thank you, Dylan! To find out more about Fuse's opportunities, CLICK HERE.