About Visible Ink
Visible Ink is a Brisbane City Council program which offers free space, equipment, and staff support to young people aged 12-25. Visible Ink provides spaces to meet for organised activities, resources to help get your ideas off the ground, and staff support to provide you with help and information. Our aim is to assist young people to be enterprising, get visible, and stay informed.
Where is Visible Ink
We are located in Fortitude Valley, a short walk from the train station, on the corner of Constance St and Green Square Close. We recommend people use public transport to get to the space, as there is limited street parking, but paid parking is available at the Valley Metro. If you are picking up or dropping off cumbersome equipment, call ahead to see if our loading bay is free.
We share the building with other services including Open Doors, supporting young members of the LGBTI community, Hart 4000 – a homelessness connect service, and the Maida Lilley Community Center, who provide additional community space for hire. We also invite young people to work from our offices.
What is the space used for?
In the past the Visible Ink space has been used for a wide variety of free projects and programs, including: Training, Workshops, Networking functions, Meetings, Arts projects, Planning sessions, Forums, Debates, Events, Performances, Exhibitions, Rehearsals, Zine making. However, we encourage you to be creative and use the space for any suitable purpose.
Hours of Operation
Visible Ink is open for young people, 12-25 years, to access our Copy & Destroy Zine Library, Arts Hub and Maker Space:
Wednesday, 12pm-5pm
Thursday and Friday, 12pm-8pm
Saturday, 9am-12pm
During this time we are staffed for young people to pick up access cards and equipment for bookings outside of these times. We also have staff available to support you in your project ideas, creative pursuits and emerging enterprise.
You can book our Multi Space, Meeting Room and Rehearsal Space 7-days a week from 7am-10pm for your own projects. Please check with staff whether you need to collect an access card when you receive your booking confirmation.
For booking details about our Multi-Media Lab please contact the Vis Ink Crew via visibleinkvalley@brisbane.qld.gov.au and have a chat with our staff about recording and production.
Rights and Responsibilities
Young people accessing the Visible Ink space have the right to fair, equal, and inclusive access. Visible Ink users have the right to be respected and to be heard when they are in the space.
Young people using the space also have the responsibility to respect to one another, and to respect the space. Respecting the space means cleaning up after yourself and remembering that Visible Ink is a smoking, drug and alcohol free space.
If there is anything you need…
If you have any questions or queries for us, please just let us know and we’ll work with you to find an answer. Also if you have any awesome stories, promotional videos or photos from your events after using our space, we’d love to hear about it and all the amazing things you have been up to.
Get visible
Young people defining Brisbane | Get Profiled
Nikki Nicnevin & Found Fashion
Found Fashion – a guide to second-hand shopping in Brissie – is a bright and quirky zine. Creator, Nikki started the project because they are passionate about bringing inclusive thinking into fashion and wearable art. “Expressing yourself through your outfit shouldn’t be more difficult because of your looks or your budget.” Why did you choose to… Read more »
Visible Ink takeover The POD: Ben Frost
Located on the Brunswick Street Mall emerging artists will activate The POD with Visible Ink support on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 July during the winter school holidays. Showcasing the best of Brisbane’s young musicians and performers this is a free event. We’d like you to meet some of the awesome talent gracing the stage… Read more »
Emerging Visual Artists: Sam Bradley
As a part of Visible Ink’s Enterprise program, we support young and emerging visual artists to scale their work to suit large sites and submit an Expression of Interest. This year five young artists worked with Jugglers and Brightsiders to submit their EOI to Brisbane Canvas. They were successful in their designs being incorporated over… Read more »
Emerging Visual Artists: Lisa Tran Kelly
We’d like to introduce you to the artists that have turned out some amazing designs during this program, including Lisa Tran Kelly, a multi-disciplinary artist who utilises mediums such as pencil, ink, acrylics, oils and gold-leaf. As a part of Visible Ink’s Enterprise program, we support young and emerging visual artists to scale their work to… Read more »
Emerging Visual Artists: Imogene Peach
As a part of Visible Ink’s Enterprise program, we support young and emerging visual artists to scale their work to suit large sites and submit an Expression of Interest. This year five young artists worked with Jugglers and Brightsiders to submit their EOI to Brisbane Canvas. They were successful in their designs being incorporated over… Read more »
Meet our new resident artist: Skyler
Each year Visible Ink offer opportunities for young and emerging artists to have space, resources and mentoring to develop their practice. The Developing Artist in Residence (DAIR) works closely with VI staff to curate exhibitions, facilitate workshops for other young people and produce their own works, showcasing them at various venues across Brisbane. With that… Read more »
Visible Ink takeover The POD: Lucy Dron
Located on the Brunswick Street Mall emerging artists activate The POD with Visible Ink support for two days of free entertainment on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 April during Brisbane Youth Week 2018, showcasing the best of Brisbane’s young musicians and performers. We’d like you to meet some of the awesome talent gracing the stage… Read more »
KisVis
Keeping it Simple at Visible Ink –
bundling all our favourite things into one chill evening…
Musicians Unmuted: The Voice of the Brisbane Music Scene
As the Brisbane music scene grows, Musicians Unmuted aim to give voice to local musicians and contributors of this community.
Maeve Baker
Maeve Baker is an animator/illustrator. Maeve talked to Visible Ink about her involvement in the space, background and inspirations.
P4pero
“It was an unforgettable and extraordinary experience getting to actually experience what its like to be a Kpop idol and we were fortunate enough to dance in front of a crowd of 25,000 people on the competition night!”
COPY & DESTROY is Visible Ink’s zine library, a collection covering a decade of young ideas from across the country. It is open access to all young people during opening hours, come chill out and leaf through the pages and get inspired. You can also connect with the amazing people in the Copy & Destroy Zine Collective to attend workshops, meet-ups and events, or use our resources in the Maker Space to create your own!
Getting started with zines
Badge Maker App
Wanting to come in and use our badge maker? Use our badge making tool to layout your badges and export to a PDF.
Get Profiled
Are you doing inspiring things around Brisbane, or are you part of a group that’s going to take on the world? At Visible Ink we meet many dedicated, motivated and active young people who work hard to achieve some pretty massive goals. Tell us about your project so that we can help spread the word.
Be enterprising
Enterprise | Enterprise Application
The VI: Enterprise program offers young people, under the age of 25 years, a safe and central space to pursue creative or professional ventures. There are a whole range of options available for building knowledge, skills and confidence through workshops, networks, mentors, advisors and industry support.
Council’s VI: Enterprise is committed to strengthening pathways and partnerships to other co-working, creative spaces to support young people’s projects and ideas. This program sits in a unique part of the start-up and enterprise ecosystem. It is a free and neutral program for young people with emerging ideas looking to develop confidence and knowledge that delivers on Council’s 2031 Vision for a Smart and Prosperous City.
Applying a range of opportunities and resources from Council, private partnerships and community organisations VI: Enterprise engages young people to facilitate, showcase and produce a range of events, workshops, and experiences around Brisbane.
The VI: Enterprise program is designed with three levels of engagement: Enterprise Attendees, Enterprising Young People, and Enterprise Tenants. This provides an opportunity for young people to identify the most suitable pathway for them, allowing support to emerging, grassroots participants as well as those young people that are more established. The levels of engagement are all connected and flexible in their delivery, allowing appropriate pathways across various platforms for young people to engage with.
Enterprise Attendees might pop along to some of our workshops or events run in partnership with other organisations such as EVA (Emerging Visual Artists) Workshops, QMusic Industry Connect or generationYOU Inspire.
Enterprising Young People are individuals, groups or Collectives such as KISVIS or Copy & Destroy, who want to grow their skills and confidence through utilising Visible Ink staff knowledge, skill-shots, training, and paid experience. While these young people may not need an “office space” as such, they are a part of VI: Enterprise.
Enterprise Tenants receive the additional support of having access to a hot desk space. The offices located in the Visible Ink Youth Hub are a collaborative co-working environment, where Tenants are grouped with like-minded companies or individuals, be they creative, professional, or social enterprise. Before becoming a tenant space is offered on a negotiated timeframe with a signed contract outlining Visible Ink’s Enterprise expectations and tenants obligations. Each contract is developed based on the young person/company and how they can best give back by raising the profile of young people in Brisbane.
To be considered for a place in the VI:Enterprise program, young people need to be:
- 25 years of age and under
- Have a clear idea of the venture
- Be committed in working with others to grow ideas
- Be interested in changing Brisbane for the better
- Complete the enterprise application and meet with Visible Ink staff
We currently have capacity to support young people in Music & Production, Creative Arts and The Basics of stepping into the world of start-ups.
It's what you make of it - Some Youth Led Initiatives
Developing Artist In Residence
DAIR
The Developing Artist in Residence (DAIR) program is a year-long opportunity available for young and emerging artists to gain support and knowledge within visual arts to develop their practice, gain experiences and build confidence as a practitioner in Brisbane’s creative economy. This program sits within Visible Ink’s Enterprise programming.
The VI: Enterprise program offers young people, under the age of 25 years, a safe and central space to pursue creative or professional ventures. There are a whole range of options available for building knowledge, skills and confidence through workshops, networks, mentors, advisors and industry support. Applying a range of opportunities and resources from Council, private partnerships and community organisations VI: Enterprise engages young people to facilitate, showcase and produce a range of events, workshops, and experiences around Brisbane.
In the past the Visible Ink DAIR participants have run workshop series to teach others various arts skills, curated exhibitions of their work and other young artists from around Brisbane, as well as creating commissioned works for Council for a variety of events including Valley Fiesta and projections on the William Jolly Bridge.
If you are interested in finding out more about DAIR or applying to become a resident, you can contact visibleinkvalley@brisbane.qld.gov.au or come in during our opening hours and have a chat with our Enterprise Coordinator.
VISIBLE INK ARTS COLLECTIVE
Based out of Visible Ink the Arts Collective is a social group for young people to access free resources and connect with other emerging artists across Brisbane. With activities ranging from relaxed Hangouts to specific workshops the Arts Collective is a great way to meet new people and develop your practice. The Collective aims to provide young artists with the space and materials that they require, whilst also connecting artists with each other to create together and learn from one another. You can contact the Visible Ink Arts Collective on Facebook.
Please remember the Visible Ink Art Collective is run by young people volunteering their time, not Vis Ink staff.
Free Equipment | Booking Form
Want to document an awesome project or capture your performance on film but don’t have the gear you need to do it… Just use ours! Visible Ink has a range of equipment to support young people to start their own business ventures and creative projects. Our swag of goodies is available to hire for a week at a time, all you have to do to check out the availability is send us an email or use this form and we’ll book some gear for you!
We currently have the following resources available:
- Yamaha PA Stage system
- Portable/Battery PA system
- DJ Deck
- Microphones and stands
- LED Lighting system
- Studio Lighting kit
- Spotlight and stands
- Projectors
- DSLR Cameras with a variety of lenses
- Tripods
- GoPro Video Cameras (with optional helmet)
- JVC Video Camera
- Fuji Digital Stills Cameras
- White screen backdrop with frame
- Green screen backdrop with frame
Not for hire, but can be used during opening hours:
- Lino printing resources
- Black Magic 4K Camera (see staff about booking this)
- Free WiFi and computer workstations with 10Mb upload capacity
- Photocopier, printer and scanner
- A3 Lightbox for artwork
- Badge maker
Visible Ink has three badge makers that you’re welcome to use during our opening hours. If you’re planning on making more than a half dozen badges including large scale projects, you’ll need to supply your own badge parts. Our machines can produce three sizes – 25mm, 35mm, 57mm – for your projects. Parts can be ordered online, for an Australian supplier check Badge-A-Minit (they have all the sizes available for our machines). - 3D Printer
Visible Ink has a 3D printer available for you to develop your concepts, although please be aware you need to email first and confirm a time with staff so we can give training around programs and printing.
Spaces | Booking Form
During opening hours young people can come into the space to have a tour, utilise the Maker and Creative Spaces as well as the Copy & Destroy Zine Library. All our rooms are available to be booked between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week.
Bookings for Rooms and Equipment are taken through online booking forms, but if you have any questions feel free to have a chat with us. Just be aware that Visible Ink isn’t staffed Sunday-Tuesday so please allow enough time for your booking to be processed if you want to access the space on those days.
REHEARSAL SPACE: A 50 metre square multi-purpose space that has a timber floor, full length curtains, floor to ceiling mirrors for rehearsals. The room is also fully air-conditioned with access to a projector, screen, sound system and free WiFi. Suitable to seat up to 65 people with a small stage.
MULTI SPACE: A dual purpose rehearsal and meeting space with timber floors, a mirrored wall and good natural light (or complete darkness via blinds). This room can seat 20 people at foldaway tables and also has a projector, sound system, whiteboard and free WiFi access.
MEETING ROOM: Suitable for small group meetings or activities, fits 8 comfortably. This room has WiFi access.
MEDIA STUDIO:
The Visible Ink Music and Media Studio is a free facility providing access to professional equipment and software for people with a basic knowledge of recording and audio production. You must attend an Induction Session before booking this studio, these monthly sessions occur on the last Thursday of the Month between 6:00pm-7:00pm.
To book your Induction click here, tell us what you want to use the space for and we will reply with an invitation to the next Induction Session.
This Studio features professional audio and graphic design tools including:
- iMac with Pro Tools 12 and Garage Band
- Focusrite 2i2 Interface, Rode NT2A Microphone, KRK Rockit 8 Monitors
- Adobe Premier and Creative Suite for Graphic Design and Film editing
CREATIVE SPACE: Stocked with visual arts supplies from paint to pastel to plaster, this space is available during Visible Ink’s opening hours for you to come along and be creative. Anything made in the space is yours to take home, and it’s all free. We also host an Arts Collective – check out their Facebook page for upcoming events, workshops or meet-ups.
MAKER SPACE: Visible Ink provides free internet, computers and printing services for young people during our opening hours. We have a lot of young and emerging bands, zinesters and groups working on festivals, events and rallies that hang out in the Maker Space. It’s a great place to connect with other creatives and get inspired.
BREAKOUT SPACE/KITCHEN: We have an awesome lounge and kitchen area to chill out and relax in with free tea and coffee. It is stocked with crockery and utensils, we just ask that you clean up your mess and throw your stuff in the dishwasher.
ENTERPRISE TENANCY: We have hot desk options available for young people starting out as a part of our VI: Enterprise program. We offer young people, under the age of 25 years, a safe and central space to pursue creative or professional ventures, see our Enterprise page for more details.
COURTYARD: Our outdoor area is a nice place to relax, have some lunch and catch the breeze.
COPY & DESTROY ZINE LIBRARY: The zine library showcases our collection of zines, from current and past zine makers. We also have an archive of zines spanning the past decade, if you wanna have a blast from the past. Come in and have a browse!
Printing | Printing Request Form
If you’ve got something to say or show, chances are you’ll need a way to get the word out. Visible Ink has facilities for limited run printing in colour and black & white.
Visible Ink is here to support young people to get their projects up, so if you’re publicising an event with posters or pamphlets, publishing a small press zine or putting a design onto a badge for your bands merch table, we can help get the ideas onto paper.
We’re obviously not running a print shop, so limitations apply (small runs of 50 colour A4 sized sheets or 25 colour A3), but we give you the opportunity to experiment with your design and get print-ready to take to commercial printer.
You can also access computers with design and publishing software, or even get into some traditional print making with our lino cut and screen-printing equipment.
Enterprise Application
Printing Request
Equipment Bookings
Room Bookings
Get Connected
Latest Opportunities for Young People
Creative Media Workshops this September
Visible Ink Enterprise is opening up the world of creative media this school holidays with five hands-on workshops hosted by Hot Chicks with Big Brains. Sign up today and develop some new skills in copywriting, design and pitching your ideas.
COPYWRITING FOR NEWBIES
So, you think you can’t write?
You don’t have to be a grammar-nazi or a writer by trade to string words together that work. We’re going to show you the value of good copywriting, delve into the thinking that’s typically behind good copy, and show you that – with the right attitude – anybody is capable of copywriting.
Saturday 29 September, 10am-12pm or Sunday 30 September, 4pm-6pm
INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN
What is design, if you’re not a designer?
A broad and overwhelming topic, that’s what! If you’d like a little help putting your floaties on and dipping your toes into the ‘design’ pool for the very first time, look no further. We’ll take you through what ‘design’ means to different people and in different industries, what it looks like in theory and in practice, communicating and rationalising, and the difference between having design as a skill and taking it up as a career.
Saturday 29 September, 4pm-6pm or Sunday 30 September, 10am-12pm
PITCHING FOR TOTAL BEGINNERS
Are you as fresh as the Prince of Bel-Air (to pitching)? Let’s change that.
Pitching an idea is a skill that almost everyone will use in their lifetime, whether it’s in front of a huge audience at an event, or just to your boss at work. We take fundamental approaches to pitching and building business relationships from industry leaders and funnel them down to the very basics for you, because starting at square one doesn’t mean that you can’t still learn from the best!
Wednesday 3 October, 6pm-8pm
All of these workshops are free and are suitable for young people 12-25 years of age. We have limited places at each session, so please email visibleinkvalley@brisbane.qld.gov.au with any enquiries and to confirm you place. They will be held at Visible Ink, 5 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley.
Extended Opening Hours from 26 September
Having trouble getting into Visible Ink for all your printing, making and creating needs? Well we’re giving you more time to work on your projects. From Wednesday 26 September, Visible Ink will be open Wednesday-Friday, 12pm-8pm and Saturday, 9am-12pm. Swing by, check out the newly renovated space and chat to our staff about getting your ideas off the ground.
Visible Ink closing for Renovations
Visible Ink will be closed for renovations from Tuesday 7-Wednesday 15 August 2018.
We’re updating the space to be more user-friendly as well as being easier to make and create in our Maker Space, Arts Hub and Multi-Media Lab. We’ll keep you posted with the progress and any changes to our opening hours both in the lead-up and during the renovations. During this time we will not be accepting booking or printing requests, and will only be able to provide limited access to equipment loans.
– Booking requests received after 8pm Friday 3 August will not be processed until we re-open
– Printing requests must be picked up by Saturday 4 August
– We will be supplying limited equipment loans during this time, so please make sure your requests are submitted by Wednesday 1 August
– All access cards must be returned to the Visible Ink office by Tuesday 7 August
– All services and booking requests will resume as normal from Thursday 16 August, 12pm
Please contact us directly if you have any queries about our closure during this time.
Visible Ink takeover the Pod this July
Visible Ink will once again takeover The Pod this winter holidays with two days of free entertainment. Located on the Brunswick Street Mall, emerging artists will activate The Pod Thursday 5 and Friday 6 July, showcasing the best of Brisbane’s young musicians and performers. Line-up to be announced soon!
SOCIAL MEET UP
Visible Ink is hosting our very first Social Meet Up!
You told us you wanted to meet other like-minded individuals and groups that utilise the space and we thought what better time to start than the first day of Brisbane Youth Week. So we’re inviting you to a free afternoon of good food, live music and dance performances, badge making and the Pop-Up Zine Library. Feel free to come along by yourself or with your group to meet a bunch of others that hang out at the space and just enjoy a relaxed afternoon with great company.
When: Friday 6 April, 12pm-5pm
Where: Visible Ink, 5 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley
Cost: Free
Ages: 12-25 years
We’d love to see you there.
Youth Week Countdown
Brisbane Youth Week starts this Friday 6 April and runs through until Sunday 15 April.
With a host of free events, workshops, panels and live music, you should really jump over to What’s On to see what’s happening across Brisbane or hop across to Visible Ink’s Youth Week page to see what’s happening at the space.
Visible Ink’s program has been planned and organised by young people for young people.
Announcing our new Developing Artist in Residence!
Each year Visible Ink offer opportunities for young and emerging artists to have space, resources and mentoring to develop their practice. The Developing Artist in Residence (DAIR) works closely with VI staff to curate exhibitions, facilitate workshops for other young people and produce their own works, showcasing them at various venues across Brisbane.
With that in mind, we’d love to introduce you to Skyler Castillo: artist, dabbler, and Visible Ink’s DAIR for 2018. Check out her interview on our Profiles page.
Youth Week at Visible Ink
Brisbane Youth Week is the annual celebration of young people from to 12-25 years of age
Brisbane Youth Week provides opportunities for young people to share ideas, have their voices heard on issues of concern to them, attend events and celebrate their contribution to the community. This year we supported young people to organise over 100 events across Brisbane including panels, workshops, live music performances, sports and rec opportunities, festivals and community celebrations. With over 7,000 people attending events over the 10 days, it was a lot of fun and we just want to thank everyone who helped plan the events and make Brisbane Youth Week so successful.
You can get involved with planning and running Youth Week events for 2019 by getting in contact with the Visible Ink crew via email. We’re keen to kick off planning in late 2018. See you there!
Highlights from Brisbane Youth Week 2018: Friday 6 – Sunday 15 April
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