The Official Opening of Burnie Arts
Published on 24 October 2025
A new cultural centre emerges in north-west Tasmania
The official opening of the redeveloped Burnie Arts centre will be held on Monday 10 November 2025. A simple event is planned, putting local community groups front and centre alongside the many Federal, State and Local politicians who will also be in attendance.
This event is the culmination of four years’ work to redevelop the former Civic Centre built in 1976. The vision was simple but ambitious – create Burnie’s cultural hub for the broad community, fuse together art and museum collections, the performing arts, functions, workshops and events, and break down cultural barriers to ensure that everyone is welcome.
Burnie Arts Director, Mark Viner remembers his first week on the job, “I remember coming here, just after COVID, and in my first week I visited the former art gallery for my COVID vaccination. I realised then that the only way was up”.
Initially, with funding from the then Liberal Federal Government of $5 million, the scope of the project was modest. Then, during the 2022 Federal election, the Labor Party promised a further $13 million. Once the Labor Party was elected, the Burnie Arts project became the only Tasmanian cultural infrastructure project listed in the new ‘Revive’ national cultural policy.
Burnie City Council Mayor Teeny Brumby notes how important this ambitious project was for Burnie;
“This centre belongs to the people of Burnie. It’s where our stories, our talent, and our imagination come together under one roof. We recognised that the original building had excellent bones, and with a clever design we could stretch a $20 million budget to deliver something extraordinary. It’s a bold statement that Burnie backs itself, our city, our people, and our future. We’ve created something that doesn’t just showcase the arts but celebrates the heart and spirit of this community.”
Three years of construction with the Burnie Arts staff, patrons, and builders all co-habiting the same site, was challenging. “Continuing to deliver cultural programs throughout the construction period was a high priority for us and a very early decision as we wanted to keep faith with our community”, said Mark Viner. The result has seen audiences actually grow over the construction period, with some amazing shows coming back to town as well as a wealth of home-grown stage talent on offer. Exhibitions popped up in warehouses and shop fronts across Burnie’s CBD to ensure the community could still experience some incredible showcases.
“My overriding aim was to cut through to the broader community and create a destination” says Mr Viner. “And all the signs are positive with visitors already engaging with the centre for selfies and to just hang out. It seems that the local community may in fact be rather proud of this inventive and inclusive project.”
Mayor Brumby added, “Burnie has always punched above its weight, but this takes it to another level. The new Burnie Arts Centre is proof that when we dream big and work together, remarkable things happen.”
Burnie Arts is now open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.