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
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!”
Bri Lee
“It feels good to be surrounded by other people doing cool things as well… There’s a chill vibe and a nice level of trust. I just rock up and get on with things.”
Madeline Price
Meet Madeline Price, long-term Visible Ink user, law AND arts student, UQ student ambassador, Vice President of Gender and Sexuality at UQ, avid rock climber, traveller, waterskiier, and generally a swell gal.
Kaitlyn Rogers
“Living a life lead by your passion is more enriching and rewarding than paying rent on time. You only live once, might as well enjoy it. Besides a mortgage isn’t going to follow you to the grave.”
Melina Wightman and Lia Stark
Two artsy ladies creating and practicing their performance art, with a sweet kind of sisterhood that shows in their happy snaps…
Chris M
“I do everything at Visink! I tried working from home, but it’s never going to happen!”
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
Sober Bob
Sober Bob – sometimes known as Anne – is a young Brisbane creative, dabbling in various forms of design and independent media circulation. She runs her own design business, built off the back of a history of freelancing in IT.
Maeve Baker
An animator, illustrator and human girl, Maeve spends her time creating and communicating visually. She loves getting her hands dirty experimenting with new mediums and collaborating with others. http://maevebkr.com/
Hot Chicks with Big Brains
Hot Chicks with Big Brains started out late 2014 as a rather niche, online-only interview series and is now a bi-annual print publication that is moving to quarterly in 2018. The publication primarily facilitates and publishes conversations with, about, and between women that focus on work. It also includes a Featured Artist as well as photo-essays, art work and body-positive photo-shoots. http://hotchickswithbigbrains.com/
One Woman Project
The One Woman Project is a youth-lead, registered non-for-profit organisation focused upon education about and advocacy promoting gender equality. https://www.onewomanproject.org/
Ibis
Artists run collective who put together a small press zine, embracing creativity and everyday observations of Brisbane life.
Developing Artist In Residence
The Developing Artist in Residence (DAIR) program is a year-long opportunity available for a young and emerging artist 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 multiple 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.
You can find out more about our current DAIR – Skyler – or check back in with us in January when applications re-open for DAIR 2019.
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 a large scale project, 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 Space, Copy & Destroy Zine Library and Arts Hub. 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.
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 but could take as many as 12. This room has a whiteboard and WiFi access.
ARTS HUB: 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, coffee and milo. It is stocked with crockery and utensils, we just ask that you clean up your mess and throw your stuff in the dishwasher.
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!
MULTI-MEDIA LAB: The studio has professional audio and graphic design tools including an iMac with Pro Tools 12 and the Adobe Creative Suite for Graphic Design and Film editing. We also have pre- and post- production facilities for music producers, musicians, demo recordings, podcasting and mixing. Email us for a detailed list of our equipment and booking availability.
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
Library Support Call-Out
Copy and Destroy will be revamping as 2018 comes into full swing, with fresh look at how volunteers can help with the collective, and ways we can reward those who put in the extra effort
to keep Brisbane’s zine scene alive.
However, we know here that trying to get zine makers together can be a bit like herding cats, so we are offering individualised considerations for times people would be able to help and options of group work versus individual quiet work. Can only make it in during certain times that may not be during meetings or usual Library opening hours? We can arrange other time for you to contribute.
For those who are able to give their energies to the library further, they shall be rewarded with:
- Extra printing privileges at Visible Ink (including extra sticker paper, colour printing, and coloured papers)
- Food and drink while they put in those efforts
- Resume referrals regarding work done
- Exposure for their content creation works on the C+D Blog and Instagram
- Invitation and priority for free Visible Ink workshops in 2018
The jobs that need to be done range from library administration to content creation. These include:
- Categorising and inputing zines into the database
- Cleaning and sorting Library display boxes
- Cleaning and sorting zine making materials
- Contributing feedback, ideas, and plan making regarding the Library
- Developing a series of Instagram posts for promotion
- Helping with Facebook posts
- Writing zine reviews
- Writing blog posts regarding the zine scene, personal stories regarding zine making, or other
such stuff
If you’re interesting in joining in, or getting back on the Copy and Destroy train, email us at copyndestroy@gmail.com or DM us on the Copy and Destroy Instagram account.
Industry Connect 2018
Industry Connect brings music industry professionals from around Australia together to support anyone interested in building a sustainable career in the industry. The program is designed for emerging artists and music industry workers to develop relationships, knowledge and the opportunities to succeed.
Visible Ink’s Enterprise program is partnering with Q-Music to support young and emerging artists, bands and producers to attend Industry Connect throughout 2018. Check out Industry Connect to keep update on the upcoming events, and swing by Visible Ink for a chat (or email us) if you have any questions about getting involved.
genYOU Inspire 2018
Imagine if you received a toolbox, one which would not only help you secure the job you really want, but also be awesome at it! We’re not just talking about technical knowledge (you probably have that already), but the additional traits, attitudes and skills which will help you to stand out of the crowd. That skills toolbox is generationYOU.
genYOU Inspire is a series of short free events that bring together local legends with a single goal – to help Brisbane’s young people unleash their potential at work and in life! Come along to one or all of these events –
March 1: How to create a CV and Cover Letter for maximum impact.
April 11: Learn to network like a pro.
June 6: Enterprise skills – what they are and why you need them.
August 7: Building an outstanding personal brand.
October 10: How to ensure your career is on the right track.
Head to the generationYOU website or Facebook page to book your free place.
genYOU Inspire is proudly supported by Economic Development – Brisbane City Council and Visible Ink’s Enterprise program.
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.
Visible Ink takeover The POD
Visible Ink is once again taking over The POD on Brunswick Street Mall this April. As a part of Brisbane Youth Week we’ll be hosting some of the city’s finest emerging talent. Come along and check it out Thursday 12 and Friday 13 April.
Live from Outer Space – Some Jerks and more…
Live From Outer Space are returning with another installment of their ALL AGES music program, featuring a stellar lineup of local talent! Featuring Some Jerks, The Stress of Leisure and Elder.
Outer Space, 1/170 Montague Road, West End
Saturday 31 March, doors open 7:30pm
Entry $10 // All ages // Drug & alcohol free // More details FB
Live from Outer Space – Bad Bangers EP Launch
Join tropical weirdo punk duo Bad Bangers as they launch their new EP “Hooray For Everything” at West End’s newest art gallery and creative hub, Outer Space. Featuring Bad Bangers, Cannon and Hexmere.
Outer Space, 1/170 Montague Road, West End
Friday 30th March, doors open 7pm
Entry $10 // All ages // Drug & alcohol free // More details FB
Put Us First Fest
Start Queensland Women’s Week off with a bang at Put Us First Fest, an all ages day of workshops for women and non-binary folks who want to pursue music, whether it’s their hobby, passion project or career. PUF Fest will be a hands-on learning experience in a non-judgmental environment led by Brisbane’s best in their fields, including:
– Live audio production with Anna Whitaker (audio engineer for QPAC, The Triffid, Bleach Festival and Woodford Folk Festival)
– Learn to DJ with Dameeela (4ZZZ DJ, WAVEY, Listen Out Festival, Laneway Festival and a regular feature on Brisbane’s club circuit)
– Marketing 101 with Sarah Chipman (Title Track), Ash Kissane (Mucho-Bravado, Control Zine) and Elizabeth Ansley (Mellum)
– Song-writing workshops for guitar, electronic production and hip hop
– Zine-making with Rebecca Cheers (Woolf Pack)
Saturday 3 March – $20 entry – Outer Space, 170 Montague Road, West End. This is an all-ages event.
And the fun doesn’t stop there, the celebration will keep going into the night with the Put Us First Fest after party: featuring Rebel Yell, G Elenil and May Lyn!
Presented by 4ZZZ and QMusic, as a Queensland Women’s Week initiative and supported by Visible Ink.
Applications for The QUBE Effect close this Friday 16 February
The QUBE Effect is a music program that provides live performance and promotional and development opportunities for emerging and professional Brisbane musicians. Twenty-four musical groups, including soloists, duos and bands, will be shortlisted by an industry panel and provided the opportunity to nurture their talent as musicians over a six-month program. The program includes video clip filming, industry networking, live performances, management workshops, prizes and more. The QUBE Effect live performances on 7 and 14 April are presented as part of Brisbane Youth Week 2018.
To apply head to The QUBE Effect page and add your details today!
This program is proudly supported by Brisbane City Council and Visible Ink’s Enterprise program.
Young & Emerging Artists Development Program
Are you an emerging artist under 25? Would you like to develop your skills to progress your career in the creative industries? Visible Ink is partnering with Jugglers Art Space and Brightsiders to support young people in the development of their practice through a series of workshops until 18 January. Visit the Facebook page for more details. #visual arts #workshop
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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