Burien Arts Association

What Burien Arts Association does

Burien Arts Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization (Tax ID: 91-6071011) founded in 1964 and incorporated in 1968, headquartered in Burien, Washington, that serves residents of the Highline area communities of Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, SeaTac, and White Center. Its mission is to engage, enhance, and entertain those communities through free or low-cost arts programming, including quarterly art exhibitions at the Highline Heritage Museum and Burien Community Center, free Shakespeare in the Park performances presented in partnership with GreenStage, the 7 Stories monthly storytelling program, art classes for children and adults (including Zentangle and outdoor classes at Shark Garden), the annual Burien Art Market (BAM), Theater in the Garden productions, and an annual $1,000 visual arts scholarship for Highline Public Schools graduates.

The organization operates without proprietary technology, running on a standard WordPress website and Square-based donation processing. Its core "products" are curatorial and programmatic: the Gallery Wall Artist Entry Program runs three-month rotating exhibits at two city-affiliated venues, where exhibiting artists donate 20-50% of sales back to the organization. Programs are delivered through a network of physical venues including museums, community centers, parks, and a community garden, with no centralized physical office (mailing address only: P.O. Box 66574, Burien, WA 98166).

Burien Arts' revenue model is a hybrid of charitable donations (tax-deductible contributions via Square and check), grants from 4Culture, the Washington State Arts Commission, and the City of Burien, transaction-based commissions on artist sales (50% at Highline Heritage Museum, 20% at Burien Community Center), and small event fees ($50 BAM booth rentals). Operations are governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees led by President/Executive Director Essa Baird and Vice-President/Treasurer Grace Stiller, with a paid/contracted headcount of 1-10. The organization has no external institutional investors or private equity backing and functions primarily through volunteer effort.

Name

Burien Arts Association

Legal name

Burien Arts Association

Website

https://burienarts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Burien Arts Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1964 in Burien, Washington, that delivers free and low-cost visual arts exhibits, Shakespeare in the Park, storytelling, art classes, and an annual scholarship to residents and artists of the Highline area communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts & Cultural Programming

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (71211), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture) (EDAMAAAA), Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Collectibles & Hobby Shows (MPAGAFAN)

Keywords

• Community arts programs
• Art exhibitions
• Arts education
• Nonprofit arts organization
• Performing arts events

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 91-6071011), Burien Arts relies heavily on charitable donations from individuals and businesses. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made through Square or by check. These donations support free programs such as monthly art exhibits, art classes for children, and Shakespeare in the Park.
2. Art Sales Commission: The organization earns revenue through commissions on artwork sales from its gallery wall programs. Artists at the Highline Heritage Museum donate 50% of their sales to Burien Arts, while artists at the Burien Community Center donate 20% of their sales.
3. Program and Event Revenue: Revenue is generated through various programs including booth rentals at the Burien Art Market (BAM), art class fees, and event-based fundraising such as the Vision 20/20 gala (prior to 2024). The Vision 20/20 event featured unique 8" x 8" artwork pieces priced at $40+ each.
4. Grants: Burien Arts receives grant funding from organizations including 4Culture, Washington State Arts Commission, and the City of Burien. These grants support specific programs such as the 'Free Public Access' funding for the Farmers Market booth.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Burien Arts Association delivers free public arts programming for the Highline area community, operating quarterly rotating art exhibits on gallery walls at the Highline Heritage Museum and Burien Community Center where local artists display and sell work (donating 50% and 20% of sales respectively to the nonprofit). The organization also runs performance and education programs including Shakespeare in the Park (with GreenStage), Theater in the Garden, the 7 Stories storytelling series, art classes for children and adults, the annual Burien Art Market (BAM) outdoor art sale with booth rentals, an annual $1,000 art scholarship for Highline Public Schools graduates, and a booth at the Burien Farmers Market.

Product overview

Burien Arts Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization (Tax ID: 91-6071011) founded in 1964 that enriches the Burien and Highline area communities through arts and cultural programs. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including: quarterly art exhibits at the Highline Heritage Museum and Burien Community Center featuring local artists through its Gallery Wall Artist Entry Program; performance programs including Shakespeare in the Park (presented with GreenStage since 2006), Theater in the Garden, and the 7 Stories storytelling program; educational offerings including art classes for children/youth and adults (Zentangle), an art scholarship for Highline Public Schools graduates, and the annual BAM (Burien Art Market) outdoor art sale. The organization also coordinates the Burien Creative Connections booth at the local Farmers Market and previously ran the Vision 20/20 art gala and Burien Jazz Walk. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and operates from its main exhibit spaces at 819 SW 152nd Street and 14700 6th Avenue SW in Burien, Washington.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Art Exhibits at Highline Heritage Museum Quarterly rotating exhibitions on Burien Arts gallery walls at the Highline Heritage Museum (819 SW 152nd Street, Burien) featuring emerging and established local and regional artists, with First Friday opening receptions from 5-7 PM. Free admission to visitors.
• Art Exhibits at Burien Community Center Quarterly exhibits of emerging artists on the Burien Arts Wall at the Burien Community Center (14700 6th Avenue SW, Burien). Open Monday-Thursday 9-7 and Friday 9-5. Free admission.
• Gallery Wall Artist Entry Program Three-month rotating show program offering local artists the opportunity to display original two-dimensional wall art at the Highline Heritage Museum and Burien Community Center. Artists handle their own sales, donating 50% of proceeds (Highline Heritage Museum) or 20% (Burien Community Center) to Burien Arts. No entry fee.
• BAM (Burien Art Market) Annual outdoor art sale and garden party held at the New Start Community Garden (Shark Garden) featuring local artists selling original art and handmade crafts, live music, and food vendors. Booth rentals are $50 per booth.
• Shakespeare in the Park Free outdoor Shakespeare performances presented in partnership with GreenStage at local parks including Lake Burien School Memorial Park, Dottie Harper Park, and Marvista Park.
• Theater in the Garden Family-friendly theater productions staged at the Shark Garden (New Start Community Garden) in partnership with Burien Actors Theatre, featuring adaptations of classical works such as Spanish comedia (e.g., 2026 production of 'The Courage to Right a Woman's Wrongs').
• 7 Stories Program Monthly storytelling event at the Highline Heritage Museum featuring seven community members sharing real-life stories in seven minutes on a given theme. Held on the fourth Friday of each month and videoed/posted to YouTube. Free admission.
• Art Classes Art instruction programs including Shark Garden outdoor summer art classes for children and youth, Zentangle classes at the Highline Heritage Museum for adults, and previously Zoom-based all-ages classes during the pandemic period. Most classes are free with donations appreciated; specialty classes may have associated fees.
• Art Scholarship One-time $1,000 scholarship awarded to a Highline Public Schools graduate pursuing a visual arts degree at an accredited arts organization or four-year college/university. Awarded annually since 2020.
• Burien Creative Connections at Farmers Market Interactive booth at the Burien Farmers Market at Town Square Park (480 SW 152nd St.) on select Thursdays, celebrating arts and culture in partnership with ecoTHRIVE Housing and other organizations. Free public access.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free arts access for the community
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and secondary.

• GreenStagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreenStage is the Seattle-metro area summer Shakespeare company that has partnered with Burien Arts since 2008 to present free Shakespeare in the Park performances in local parks. Burien Arts is not a sponsor for 2026 as the program is postponed to 2027.
• Highline Heritage MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Highline Heritage Museum hosts Burien Arts' bimonthly art exhibits on its designated walls. The museum is located at 819 SW 152nd Street, Burien, WA 98166. Opening receptions are held on First Fridays.
• 4CulturemajorOthers4Culture provides grant funding to support Burien Arts programs, including 'Free Public Access' funding for the Burien Creative Connections booth at the Burien Farmers Market.
• Arts WA (Washington State Arts Commission)majorOthersArts WA provides grant funding to support Burien Arts programs including Shakespeare in the Park.
• City of BurienmajorOthersThe City of Burien provides support for Burien Arts programs including the 7 Stories program and community arts initiatives. Burien Arts is an outspoken advocate for arts expansion in the community.
• Discover BuriencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiscover Burien hosts the First Friday Music & Art Walk and the annual Strawberry Days festival. Named Burien Arts Charity of the Year 2016.
• Artists UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtists United is a local artist group whose members have volunteered at Burien Arts gallery and continue to exhibit work. The two organizations collaborate on programming.
• Burien Actors Theatre (BAT)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBurien Actors Theatre collaborated with Burien Arts on Theater in the Garden productions, including the 2026 production of 'The Courage to Right a Woman's Wrongs.'
• Burien Culture HubsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the 7 Stories storytelling program at the Highline Heritage Museum.
• ecoTHRIVE HousingsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Burien Arts on the Burien Creative Connections booth at the Burien Farmers Market, along with other arts and cultural organizations.
• City of Normandy ParksecondaryOthersThe City of Normandy Park supports Shakespeare in the Park performances at Marvista Park.
• Normandy Park Arts CommissionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Normandy Park Arts Commission organizes the Music in the Park summer concert series and has collaborated on programming.
• Highline Schools FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Burien Arts on educational programming for students.
• Burien Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Burien Community Center (operated by the City of Burien PARCS Dept.) hosts Burien Arts exhibit wall for monthly art exhibitions. Located at 14700 6th Avenue SW.
• New Start Community Garden (Shark Garden)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity garden adjacent to New Start High School where Burien Arts hosts outdoor summer art classes for children and youth, the annual Burien Art Market (BAM), and Theater in the Garden productions. Operated by ecoTHRIVE Housing.
• Side Rail CollectivesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup of working artists in the Georgetown area of Seattle. Members including Essa Baird and Molly McLauchlan are involved with Burien Arts programming.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Vashon Center for the Arts: Small-town community arts nonprofit on Vashon Island (Puget Sound) offering gallery exhibitions, performing arts, and arts classes. Highly comparable in scale, geography (Greater Seattle region), and donor-funded community arts model.
• Kirkland Arts Center: Community-focused nonprofit arts center serving the Eastside suburbs of Seattle. Operates gallery exhibitions, adult art classes, and community programming on a similar small-staff, donor-funded model to Burien Arts Association.
• Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA): Community-supported art museum with free admission, rotating local artist exhibits, and arts education programming. Closely comparable in mission and capital-light operating model to Burien Arts, though with a larger facility footprint.

Others

• Seattle Office of Arts & Culture: Municipal arts agency funding and supporting community-based arts organizations across Seattle. Comparable regional ecosystem role to the City of Burien support that Burien Arts receives.
• 4Culture: King County's cultural funding agency and a current grant provider to Burien Arts. Functions as a peer ecosystem player supporting similar community arts organizations across the county.
• ArtsFund: Pacific Northwest arts funder that has supported Burien Arts. Operates as a peer institutional supporter of community arts organizations in the same regional ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Frye Art Museum: Free-admission Seattle art museum with rotating exhibitions and community programming. Comparable free-access community mission to Burien Arts but at a substantially larger institutional scale.
• Henry Art Gallery: Contemporary art museum at the University of Washington offering exhibitions and public programming. Comparable in regional community-focused arts mission but operates with university affiliation and a larger permanent collection.
• Tacoma Art Museum: Mid-sized Pacific Northwest art museum serving the South Sound region with exhibitions and education programs. Shares the regional museum/exhibit programming model but operates at significantly larger scale than Burien Arts.
• Bellevue Arts Museum: Larger Eastside Seattle-area museum presenting craft, design, and contemporary art exhibitions. Overlaps with Burien Arts on visual arts exhibitions but operates at significantly greater scale with a paid staff and dedicated facility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BurienArts
• Instagraminstagram.com/burienarts
• Xx.com/BurienArts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Burien Arts Association