Interview – Giuliana Zanoni
Between Hierarchies and Networks: Giuliana Zanoni on Trust, Inclusive Leadership, and the Power of the Performing Arts
How do you move from playing the oboe to managing artistic planning at one of America’s top opera companies? What does it take to navigate both the rigid traditions of one of the world’s most renowned opera houses, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, and the dynamic, network-driven arts landscape of the United States?
In this episode of The Art She Manages, I talk to Giuliana Zanoni — Senior Manager of Artistic Planning and Operations at Washington National Opera. Giuliana shares her journey from La Scala’s hierarchical culture to the more proactive environment in the US, and what she learned about trust, leadership, and supporting artists along the way.
Why this conversation matters
Giuliana offers an honest look into two very different arts worlds. At Teatro alla Scala, she learned to read unspoken rules, while in the US she discovered the power of self-promotion and personal connections. Her reflections reveal how culture shapes leadership and how trust remains the key to meaningful collaboration everywhere.
Whether you’re an artist, arts manager, or someone considering a career pivot, Giuliana’s story is a masterclass in adaptability, integrity, and building bridges between artists and administrators.
You’ll learn
What it’s really like to work behind the scenes at Teatro alla Scala
How to build trust in highly traditional versus network-based environments
Lessons from Dominique Meyer on calm, emotionally intelligent leadership
Why self-promotion and networking are essential in the US arts sector
The structural biases facing women leaders in Europe — and how to challenge them
Giuliana’s practical advice for aspiring arts managers
“Trust is the foundation that everything else sits on.”
“The problem isn’t women; the problem is who is looking for leaders. If you always look for the same profile, you’ll keep choosing the same people.”
“Quotas don’t lower standards, I think they force institutions to look beyond their usual networks and habits.”
Resources & ways to connect
Learn more about John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts here
Learn more about the Global Master in Performing Arts Management offered by Accademia Teatro alla Scala, Milan here
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