Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker
Ken Burns: Biography at a Glance
- Award-winning documentary filmmaker behind “The Central Park Five,” “The Vietnam War,” “The Civil War,” “Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery” and “Baseball”
- Four-time Emmy nominee and two-time Oscar nominee
- Received the 2013 John Steinbeck Award
Videos
Biography
An award-winning documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns has directed film projects such as The Civil War, Baseball, The West, Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, Prohibition and The Central Park Five all of which were developed for PBS.
The late historian Stephen Ambrose said "more Americans get their history from Ken Burns than any other source," while The New York Times has called Burns "his generation's greatest filmmaker." Burns is also one of the greatest speakers of our time. His electrifying and unusually moving words help remind us of the timeless lessons of history and the enduring greatness and importance of the United States in the course of human events.
Burns's first film, Brooklyn Bridge, was nominated for an Academy Award receiving another nomination four years later for The Statue of Liberty. He also earned Emmy Awards for Baseball and The National Parks: America's Best Idea. Additionally, Burns has earned two Grammy Awards, the Producer of the Year Award from the Producers Guild of America and a Peabody Award. In 2013, Burns was awarded the prestigious John Steinbeck Award.
Whether he is discussing his famous trilogy of celebrated documentary films, The Civil War, Baseball, and Jazz, or revealing the leadership models in the unexpectedly dramatic story of Lewis and Clark; whether he is delving into the complete and often contradictory lives of great American figures as diverse as Thomas Jefferson, Frank Lloyd Wright, or Mark Twain; or whether he is celebrating the achievements of the common soldier in World War II, his speeches always address what we share in common, not what divides us.
"There is too much 'pluribus' these days," Burns says, "and not enough 'unum.' I'm in the business of 'unum'." He does this in his films, of course, but also in his equally acclaimed and riveting speeches before business and community audiences. Great oratory has all but disappeared from our public discourse, so it is indeed refreshing to have Ken Burns remind us...words matter.
Burns currently resides in New Hampshire.
People also viewed these speakers.
FAQs
How do I book Ken Burns for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Ken Burns to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Ken Burns's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Ken Burns’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Ken Burns in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Ken Burns's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Ken Burns's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Ken Burns, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Ken Burns's speaking fee?
Ken Burns's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Ken Burns's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Ken Burns's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Ken Burns as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Ken Burns as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Ken Burns's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Ken Burns's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Ken Burns for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Ken Burns speaking engagements.
Official contact for Ken Burns bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/ken-burns
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Ken Burns.
Is Ken Burns available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Ken Burns speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Ken Burns's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Ken Burns's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Ken Burns's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Ken Burns for?
Book Ken Burns for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Ken Burns customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Ken Burns engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Ken Burns can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Ken Burns booking information and availability
Check Ken Burns's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Ken Burns for your preferred event date.
Book Ken Burns keynote speaker through CAA
Book Ken Burns through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Ken Burns, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Ken Burns's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Ken Burns for your next event.
Will Ken Burns speak at private events?
Yes, Ken Burns speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Ken Burns's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Ken Burns?
CAA Speakers responds to Ken Burns booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Ken Burns?
Book Ken Burns 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Ken Burns pricing information?
Get Ken Burns pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.