Burien’s progressive arts and culture scene is anything but static. Year-round activity and excitement are generated by live theater productions at the Burien Actors Theatre, musical performances by The Northwest Symphony Orchestra, ever-evolving masterpieces in Burien’s Art Alley, art exhibitions, monthly art walks, and pop-up art galleries.
Burien realizes the importance of artists and cultural spaces within its community to catalyze diversity and inclusivity. The City has Arts and Culture Grants available to individuals, groups, and organizations who provide arts and cultural enrichment to the residents of Burien. Applications are reviewed on an annual cycle.
The NWSO — with its unparalleled commitment to northwest composers — has received local, regional, and national acclaim since it was founded in 1987. In addition to its concerts, the Northwest Symphony Orchestra's Composer-In-Residence and Symphony for Students programs provide educational enrichment to the area's schools and communities.
Based in Burien, Northwest Associated Arts is a non-profit family of choirs — ChoralSounds Northwest, SilverSounds Northwest, and YouthSounds Northwest — that provide the greater Seattle area with choral performances that enliven, enrich, entertain, and educate members and audiences alike. Their shows aim to provide members a place to showcase their unique talents and passion for the performing arts, while fostering a bond of community through music.
BAT Theatre’s mission statement says it all: “We welcome and embrace our shared humanity through live theater. We question norms and thrive because of our diversity and energetic commitment to excellence.” BAT presents community-based theater that endeavors to make the community laugh, cry, think, and dream.
It’s no wonder that with a backdrop as majestic as Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, Burien is home to a vibrant film community. The Burien Film Office supports and promotes Burien's local film industry by connecting filmmakers with industry information and by raising the profile of film in Burien. Numerous production crews have filmed here, directors of national prominence have started out here, and the community's cinephiles have come together to organize a variety of cultural events and festivals, including the annual Burien Film Festival which celebrates hyperlocal and international short films.
The work of Burien artists cannot be contained in one location or even within walls. The Burien Public Art Map guides you on a creative walking tour exploring both permanent public artworks installed throughout the community as well as rotating downtown storefront galleries.
This innovative project, established in 2013 by the B-Town Beat, works to transform a previously undesirable space into a treasure for the Burien community with ever-changing murals by guest artists. Visit their website here.
Moshier Art Center is one of Puget Sound's hidden gems drawing the community into the art culture. Each quarter, programs are offered for all ages, including classes and workshops in ceramics, painting, drawing, mosaics, sculpture, and much more. In particular, students from beginner to advanced skill levels can participate in programs in a fully-equipped ceramics studio setting. There are studio spaces with 24-hour access for artists, and available classes for adults and teens with special needs.
Highline Heritage Museum's mission is to collect and tell the stories of the Highline, the geographic area in Southwest King County Washington that includes Burien. Its collections, walking tours, exhibits, camps, and projects help the community discover its roots so that it can realize its full potential.
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“There’s a lot of public art on display in Burien and there will be even more. As a museum we want to bring in the artist component - Burien Arts Association and Artists United are a representation of the diverse and rich art community we have in the city.”
— Nancy Salguero McKay, Highline Heritage Museum Executive Director
