In 1978 she was the founding editor of High Performance Magazine and later served as co-editor with Steven Durland until 1997.
She has served as a staff writer for Artforum magazine, contributor to The Drama Review, among other publications.
Burnham’s writing has been published in numerous journals and art magazines in both the United States and the UK.
Among the books she has edited are: Making Exact Change: How U.S. arts-based programs have made a significant and sustained impact on their communities, (2005); Performing Communities Grassroots Ensemble Theaters, New Village Press (2006); Bridge Conversations: People Who Live and Work in Multiple Worlds, Arts & Democracy Press (2011).
In 2013, she and Steven Durland received the ATHE Award for Leadership in Community-based Theater and Civic Engagement.