When the Burnie Civic Centre opened in 1976, it became Tasmania's first purpose-built, fully professional regional arts centre. Renamed the Burnie Arts & Function Centre (BAFC) in 2009, it remains a vibrant hub for major performances, community events, and visiting artists central to Burnie’s Cultural precinct.
Since 1978, the Burnie Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) houses a nationally significant permanent art collection with a focus on works on paper, reflecting Burnie's longstanding history as a papermaking hub. This legacy is celebrated through the biennial Burnie Print Prize, introduced in 2007, which highlights the region’s printmaking excellence and remains one of Australia's most prestigious and valuable printmaking awards.
The Burnie Regional Museum (BRM), captures the town's beginnings with popular exhibits like Federation Street, which recreate scenes of Burnie's early 1800’s. In 2022, the museum further enriched its collection by acquiring The Advocate Gift, a treasure trove of one million negatives chronicling decades of regional history through the archives of the Advocate newspaper.
Community engagement thrives through groups like the Burnie Coastal Art Group, which hosts exhibitions, workshops, and art classes at Studio 2 Eleven. The Burnie Arts Council Inc (BAC), the founding branch of Tasmanian Regional Arts, fosters local arts and culture, raising Burnie’s profile as an arts hub for the northwest. BAC’s biannual 'paper on skin' competition and exhibition highlights innovative uses of paper, further connecting Burnie's creative identity to its papermaking history.
Complementing this creative spirit, Burnie has earned the title "City of Makers," showcasing its rich tradition of craftsmanship. Local artisans and craftspeople continue to thrive, drawing on Burnie's industrial heritage to create bespoke works of art. This culture of making now extends into a modern context through The Makers – Technology and Innovation Hub, which champions the region’s renowned creativity in manufacturing, and industrial design.
Burnie’s public spaces also reflect its artistic ethos. Art Deco and Federation style buildings grace the cityscape alongside vibrant murals and sculptures in the CBD, celebrating Burnie’s heritage and creativity while transforming the city into an open-air gallery. These installations, combined with events like Ten Days on the Island, which established its festival headquarters in the northwest in 2017, enhance Burnie's reputation as a cultural destination.
Burnie's performing arts scene is equally vibrant, with local production groups like the Burnie Musical Society, Encore Performing Arts, and Domaur Productions delivering acclaimed theatrical performances. Reflexions dance group and cultural dance troupes celebrate diverse styles and traditions, while music ensembles such as the Burnie Concert Band and the City of Burnie Brass Band contribute to the city’s rich musical tapestry.
In 2021, the Council began a significant refurbishment and rebranding of the Burnie Arts Centre to integrate art, history, performing arts, and community events under one roof. Stage 1 of the redevelopment is open to the public, with Stage 2 set to launch in early 2025, further cementing Burnie's status as a hub of creativity and innovation.