Laura Burns will be the next Executive Director of Opera Naples.

The company announced that Burns would take over the new position in October of 2022.

“I am thrilled to work with Maestro Ramón Tebar and join Opera Naples in their endeavors to cultivate access to arts and culture for the Naples community and throughout Southwest Florida,” said Burns in an official press statement issued by the organization. “Their unwavering passion for delivering diverse international performances and educational opportunities for audiences of all ages matches my own, and I look forward to helping execute their vision.” 

Burns brings over 25 years of experience in arts management and has been the Executive Director of the United Arts Council (UAC) of Collier County in Naples. She is a major proponent of the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study, a pilot Public Art Plan for the Bayshore Gateway Triangle Community Redevelopment Area and draft City of Naples’ Public Art Master Plan. Burns was also one of the leaders of the Collier County Arts and Culture Strategic Plan. Finally, she has also held positions as chairwoman of the Public Art Advisory Committee for the City of Naples and is the founding director and president of the Naples Design District.

For her efforts, she has earned major awards and recognition as an outstanding arts advocate in E’Bella Magazine in 2018. In 2020 and 2022, she was named an influential business leader in the arts in Naples Illustrated Top 100.

Opera Naples’ 2022-23 season opens on Oct. 15 with a double bill production of “The Impresario” and “Bastien and Bastienne.”