The Burnsville Visual Arts Society, originally named Burnsville Area Society for the Arts (BASA), was formed by a group of dedicated citizens from Burnsville and surrounding suburbs, who came together with the common goal to promote the arts in the area. BVAS was incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization in April of 1981. Since then, BVAS has become a well-respected arts presence in the communities south of the River. BVAS’ mission has been to encourage our member’s artistic growth both professionally and personally and to advance the value of the visual arts in our communities. BVAS’ purpose is to continue to organize and promote a variety of local creative visual arts events and activities. BVAS believes the beauty, thought, and peace the arts provide should be available to everyone.

Programs and Services:

Throughout the years, BVAS has hosted several arts events and classes for children and adults in the South of the River area, primarily in Burnsville, Apple Valley, and some in Minneapolis, including our annual member show Art Fête, now held at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. Other past events have included: helping bring the Minnesota Orchestra to the Minnesota Zoo in 1981, entering the 1985 Minnesota Aquatennial Milk Carton Boat Race, assisting with past Children’s Art Festivals, assisting with Make-a-Wish Foundation’s “Celebrity-O-Rama” in 1991, providing art tours for members, face painting at the Burnsville Fire Muster, coordinating a rotating art exhibit and art auctions, painting sets for theater productions, assisting with “Canvas and Vines” in 2004 and 2005, and much, much more! These programs have enhanced our community’s quality of life by encouraging an understanding of the arts.

Currently, BVAS is focusing on coordinating exhibits, and is not offering art classes. BVAS coordinated two visual arts exhibits in 2009; our annual member show Art Fête at the Burnsville Performing Art Center’s art gallery, and miniARTure at the River Ridge Arts Building. BVAS board members also assisted and advised Dakota Valley Historical Society for the first exhibit at the BPAC, Community + Evolution + Art = BPAC. BVAS board members also curated Cultural Perspectives, an exhibit which accompanied the International Festival of Burnsville in 2009. BVAS also serves as a resource to the community to connect a variety of organizations and events with our member artists. We contact BVAS members whenever we have a request for visual artists, and alert them of local artist opportunities and classes/workshops.