Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker
Ken Burns: Biography at a Glance
- Ken Burns is one of the most influential storytellers of American history, with nearly five decades of filmmaking that has shaped how generations understand the nation’s past and its relevance today.
- Through landmark works such as The Civil War, The Vietnam War, The Roosevelts, and The American Revolution, he brings audiences into defining moments in U.S. history, offering a timely perspective for conversations around America 250.
- Burns has a unique ability to connect individual stories to larger national themes, using biography and cultural touchpoints like baseball, jazz, and national parks to reveal what unites and challenges America.
- His work explores the complexity of the American experiment, examining both triumphs and contradictions, and equipping audiences with a deeper understanding of democracy, leadership, and civic responsibility.
- A celebrated filmmaker with seventeen Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and two Academy Award nominations, Burns delivers thought-provoking talks that inspire reflection on America’s past while encouraging meaningful dialogue about its future.
Videos
Biography
Ken Burns has been making documentary films for almost fifty years. Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, Ken has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War; Baseball; Jazz; The War; The National Parks: America’s Best Idea; Prohibition; The Roosevelts: An Intimate History; The Vietnam War; Country Music; The U.S. and the Holocaust; The American Buffalo; Leonardo da Vinci; and, most recently, The American Revolution.
Other film projects include Emancipation to Exodus, and LBJ & the Great Society.
Ken’s films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including seventeen Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and two Oscar nominations. Ken was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards and was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Burns currently resides in New Hampshire.
Topics
In Conversation with Ken: Film, History, and the American Story
In this engaging, unscripted conversation, Ken joins a moderator for a wide-ranging discussion that blends storytelling, history, and cultural insight. In a format reminiscent of Inside the Actors Studio, he reflects on his body of work or specific films while exploring the deeper themes that connect his projects to both historical and contemporary American life. The session concludes with an optional audience Q&A, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly and continue the conversation.
Sharing the American Experience: The Civil War, Baseball, and Jazz
Ken Burns brings history to life to illuminate the present moment. Drawing from landmark works such as The Civil War, Baseball, and Jazz, he reveals the enduring themes that have shaped the American experience—resilience, conflict, innovation, and unity. Through rich storytelling and cultural insight, Burns reminds audiences of the shared values and complexities that define the nation, offering a deeper understanding of America’s role in the broader course of human history.
American Lives: Storytelling Through the People Who Shaped a Nation
In this compelling talk, Ken Burns explores the art of biography through the lives of some of the most influential figures in American history. Drawing from a range of his acclaimed films, he offers insight into how individual stories reveal the broader forces that have shaped the nation. Featuring figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Frank Lloyd Wright, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, Mark Twain, the Roosevelts, and Jackie Robinson, Burns takes audiences behind the scenes of his storytelling process while illustrating how personal narratives bring history to life.
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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
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- 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.
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