This week, the Burnsville Performing Arts Center will welcome new Executive Director Brian Luther. Luther will be the third person to step into the role since 2010.

Officials at the City of Burnsville and BPAC operator VenuWorks praised Luther's extensive experience. Luther has managed major entertainment facilities such as the U.S. Cellular Center and Paramount Theatre (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and University of Wisconsin’s Kohl Center. He also garnered experience closer to home with Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, a St. Paul-based limited partnership that owns the Minnesota Wild, the Minnesota Swarm and the Saint Paul Arena Company. The latter operates the Xcel Energy Center, the Saint Paul RiverCentre and the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. 

Prior to taking the job in Burnsville, Luther's most recent gig was in Rockford, Illinois where he was named General Manager of the Rockford MetroCentre in 2009.

“We are delighted with the selection of Brian Luther as BPAC Executive Director,” Burnsville City Manager Craig Ebeling said in a press release. “His familiarity with the local arts scene and his theatre management experience should be real plusses for Burnsville.”

Luther takes over for Jon Elbaum, who led the BPAC for a year-and-a-half. He will begin his tenure at the BPAC on Thursday.