in 1949, at the age of 25, burns founded the magazine architecture and arts with his colleagues, james birrell, helen o’donnell and norman lehey, and was responsible for editing the first five issues himself. after graduating in 1953 burns drew the attention of art enthusiast john reed, who was intrigued by burn’s contribution to the magazine. their mutual appreciation for modern art in melbourne flourished into a friendship and brought burns into the social group, known as the contemporary arts society (cas). within the cas, burns was able to associate with many contemporary artists, actors, writers, poets, photographers and filmmakers of the time, which allowed him to further explore his passion for contemporary art.