About
About Visible Ink
Visible Ink is a Brisbane City Council program which offers free space, resources, and staff support to young people aged 12-25.
OUR SPACE
In 2001 Brisbane City Council developed a youth strategy to better support young people across the city. During consultation, young people said they wanted a space in a central location that was just for them where they could rehearse, host events, run workshops and develop projects free of cost. They hoped that the space would provide opportunities to collaborate, make friends and meet like-minded people that shared their passions about things that were important to them. Eventually, no matter how supportive parents were, young people knew they would outgrow their living room or garage, but they needed a safe, practical and affordable space. Meeting at coffee-shops to build a business, dancing in parklands at night or finding the cash to hire rehearsal spaces in the CBD just weren’t possible for most young people. As a result of all this feedback was the creation of Council’s youth development hub, Visible Ink.
Visible Ink opened on the corner of Constance Street and Green Square Close in 2002 in what is fondly recalled as little more than a shed. It was named by young people who thought it reflected the self-initiating attitude of it’s founding members. The concept was simple – resource young people to become more visible in what they do across Brisbane – with a vision to change the way young people were perceived by the community, engaged with the city around them, and were celebrated for their contributions. The space was a success with over 16,000 young people through the door each year. So Visible Ink had to move in 2005 to a larger facility on Berwick Street and began including more services for young people such as enterprise support for young businesses.
Every year more and more people heard about the space, and it continued to grow and grow and grow until a new space was again needed. Luckily the original site on the corner of Constance Street and Green Square Close was available, so a design for a purpose built creative-based space and an office large enough to house the whole Youth Development team was created. Visible Ink moved back to its original site in 2011, celebrating 10 years, and offering over 25,000 young people a year a safe and secure location to rehearse, meet, create, record, make, build and design anything their heart desires.
OUR TEAM
| drew: music | family | community
Super chill musician, keeps things at Vis Ink running smoothly, mostly known as the Visible Ink Youth Hub Coordinator. |
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| kate: tea snob | creative arts | all the nerd things
Doesn’t function after 3pm, never remembers her job title, also the Senior Youth Project Support at Visible Ink. |
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| cammie: life-saver | novice mathematician | curling fan
Genuinely the nicest person ever, aspiring astronaut, and Youth Project Support at Visible Ink. |
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Outside of the Visible Ink space, Council’s Youth Development team work across the Brisbane regions to support young people in their local area and coordinate a range of programs for youth. You can find out more about these programs on Council’s website or by having a chat with our staff.
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.
Hours of Operation
Visible Ink is open for young people, 12-25 years, to access our Zine Library, Multi Media Studio, Arts Hub and Maker Space:
Wednesday – Friday, 12pm-8pm
Saturday, 9am-12pm
During this time we are staffed for young people to pick up access cards and equipment, we also have staff available to support you in your project ideas, creative pursuits and emerging enterprise. You can book also book our Multi-Media Studio and 3D Printer for use during our opening hours.
Our Rehearsal Space, Meeting Room, and Multi-Use Space are available for bookings:
7-days a week, 7am-10pm
You can check availability or book a room in Spaces. Outside of our opening hours we are closed and unstaffed, so please ensure you have an access card so you can utlise the space for your bookings.
Rights and Responsibilities
A SAFE AND WELCOMING PLACE/SPACE | THE LOW DOWN | WHAT TO EXPECT | ALL THE OTHER STUFF
We ask that when you utilise Visible Ink you do so respectfully both as a physical space and towards other young people accessing it, as well as our staff.
When accessing Visible Ink young people have the responsibility to:
- Provide honest information about their needs and the support needed from staff,
- Respect other young people and staff’s privacy, personal space, rights, and worth,
- Accept the consequences of their actions and any decisions made,
- Not discriminate against other young people or staff on the grounds of sex, race, culture, language, religion, marital status, physical or intellectual disability, or sexual preference,
- Adhere to the principles and guidelines of Visible Ink regarding respecting the space, equipment and safety of all people within the space,
- Remember that Visible Ink is a smoking, drug and alcohol free space,
- Participate in decisions about what services, activities or the level of participation they wish to access,
- Create and/or view media content responsibly and with respect, especially using internet facilities legally,
- Express any feedback or grievances with staff clearly and calmly via email, phone or in person.
Young people accessing Visible Ink have the right to:
- Access free resources and the space, and receive assistance from staff that is supportive and flexible to their needs,
- Be respected by other young people and staff in the space,
- Not be discriminated against by other young people or staff within the space based on the grounds of sex, race, culture, language, religion, marital status, physical or intellectual disability, or sexual preference,
- Privacy and confidentiality with the ability to approve any sharing of information with other services as needed,
- Refuse any services or activities suggested by staff and are able to leave the space at any time,
- Give feedback or express any grievances calmly without it affecting their assistance received.
Visible Ink staff have a responsibility to ensure young people feel safe, included and supported within the space at all times. It can be a bit hectic sometimes, so to do this we ask that you help us out by:
- Using respectful language at all times,
- Not entering the staff office unless you have been invited in,
- Organising days or times for additional support that you might need with making or creating, so we can have the staff available to help,
- Looking after the space by cleaning up after yourself, accessing your bookings on time, and being respectful of the equipment at Visible Ink.
Spaces
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. Outside of our opening hours you will need to have an access card to get into the space, details about this will be included in your booking confirmation, so please read them carefully.
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, when booking we’ll add an addition half hour Induction to the start of your session.
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!
Availability | Booking Form
Room Bookings
Enterprise
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.
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.
COPY + DESTROY
Visible Ink hosts the Copy + Destroy Zine Library, a collection of independent press covering nearly two decades of ideas from young artists and writers from across the country. It is an open access space to all young people during opening hours.
If you have never heard of a zine, welcome to a library filled with self-published limited-print independent press that covers everything from art, poetry, essays, activism, comic or stories. So come on into the space, chill out, leaf through the pages and get inspired.
COPY + DESTROY ZINE LIBRARIAN
Hosting a collection of zines from across the country and even a few international titles takes time and energy, which is why Visible Ink has a resident Librarian who can collate, archive and maintain the titles available for the public. If you are interested in learning more about the Librarian role, email us, and we’ll let you know when new opportunities are available.
Our current Librarian is Anne who has a wealth of knowledge about these free resources. Our Librarian also runs pop-up Copy + Destroy Zine Libraries at events such as Valley Fiesta, facilitates zine making workshops across Brisbane, and coordinating the Copy + Destroy Zine Collective.
COPY + DESTROY ZINE COLLECTIVE
So you like zines, have been making and creating and want to meet other like-minded people? You can join our Collective to chat all things zines, attend workshops, meet-ups or events. You can also use our resources to make your own, partner with us to host zine launches or anything else you can think of. The Collective is run by volunteers to share their knowledge and ideas, it’s a shared space for local zine enthusiasts to meet and create together.
Enterprise Application
Enterprise Stories
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 in mind, we’d love to introduce you to Skyler Castillo: artist, dabbler, and Visible Ink’s DAIR for 2018. We asked her six quick questions about what it’s like being our Developing Artist in Residence.
Q: You’ve had a few opportunities to facilitate and connect with others as the DAIR recently, what’s it like to have this opportunity?
It’s pretty interesting so far, I’ve done some art for Visible Ink, a workshop at homeless connect and love meeting other artists in the space trying out new things.
Q: What have been some of the most interesting projects you’ve had a chance to work on as the DAIR?
My favourite project so far is 3D-printing, designing my work in fusion and being able to print them out and paint them. I’m excited to go even bigger.
Q: What are some of the opportunities that have come out of developing your practice?
I’ve been asked to do other workshops and work with new people which is usually way out of my comfort zone.
Q: How has your background in the arts influenced the success of your work?
I’ve always been doing art related things my whole life and I think that’s really given me the confidence in know what I’m doing most of the time.
Q: Is there any advice you can give for young artists in Brisbane?
Just keep doing it. Like seriously just keep doing whatever it is your doing, get practice and your art will develop on its own. Also meet up with other artists you’ll definitely be pushed to your very best.
Q: How can people get involved with the Visible Ink, the Arts Collective or accessing resources?
You can join the Arts Collective through the form at Visible Ink, I’m planning on having fortnightly art hangouts starting soon. To access any art equipment come and talk to either me or any of the staff and we can help your vision happen.
You can see what Skyler is up to on Instagram @kitten_phlegm. If you’re in and around Visible Ink feel free to say hi to Skyler, and we’ll keep you posted with not only her story but any events, exhibitions or workshops run by DAIR.
You can apply to become a Visible Ink DAIR by contacting us #visink #DAIR #enterprise
Donny Fraser – Skater, Co-Founder, Youth Ambassador
Australian Skateboarding Community Initiative: a skateboarding group with a focus on development and opportunity for young skaters and their communities.
A QUICK CHAT: Bri Lee – Writer, Co-founder of Hot Chicks with Big Brains, Enterprise tenant
We met Bri Lee (25) last year. She appeared at the window, enthused by the prospect of free printing. Since then, she has been a consistent user of Visible Ink, patiently waiting as we work through the backlog of printing requests.
Bri is a writer, and the Founding Editor and Manager of Hot Chicks with Big Brains (HCwBB). “I started HCwBB back in 2014 as a rather niche, online-only, feminist interview series. I would go interview and photograph successful women, and my best friend Anna would turn the content into beautiful readable PDFs.”
Since then, the HCwBB entity has expanded its focus. “We launched the first copy of our print magazine in 2016, and now we’ve grown into a more flexible, inclusive online and IRL community of feminists. We have a podcast, blog, and lots of events”. These ventures have been met with growing interest – “Each print run of the magazine increases a little, and each time we sell out faster than previously. We have a new partnership with Metro Arts for our movie nights too!”
Bri and Anna have been friends since primary school, and now run the business together. Anna is the Art Director and Assistant Manager, and their roles frequently overlap and intersect. Bri’s own writing career is progressing quickly, as her first book will be published next year and she is a regular at writer’s festivals. Bri credits the motivation behind this creativity to being inspired by others. “I interview successful women all the time and every one of them I meet motivates and inspires me in different ways. I’m lucky to have my work also be the thing that inspires me to do more work”.
Being amongst a community of creatives is one of the reasons HCwBB works from Visible Ink. “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.”
You can find out more about Bri on her Facebook page or about Hot Chicks with Big Brains via their website.
#visink #enterprise
Sarah Moran – Tech Geek, Co-Founder and CEO, Youth Ambassador
Girl Geek Academy: creating a lifelong community of women who love to learn tech, teaching women to launch their own tech start-ups.
Lincoln Savage – Event Producer, Founder, Youth Ambassador
Vast Yonder: producing arts and music events across Brisbane such as Junglelove, Scribble Slam and Brisbane Street Art Festival.
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/
Resources
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.
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 or Green screen backdrop with frame
NOT FOR HIRE but can be used during opening hours:
- Lino printing resources
- 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).
We know, that’s a lot of stuff. So how do you get your hands on it? Easy send us an email or use this form and we’ll book some gear for you!
THE CATCH
We do have a few conditions: equipment loans are for one week at a time with pick up on a Friday and drop off on a Wednesday during opening hours. It does take a while to sign out our equipment, especially if you’re borrowing some of our larger systems, so please allow ample time to fill out some paperwork. If you haven’t used the equipment before, let our staff know when you book and we’ll give you some tips for how to set it up.
Equipment Bookings
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 but we give you the opportunity to experiment with your design and get print-ready to take to commercial printer.
All printing can be done from our computers and printing services at the space during our opening hours to print: 50x A4 or 25x A3 Colour, 100x A4 or 50x A3 Black and White sheets.
For special requests or large scale projects have a chat with our team about how we might be able to accommodate you in person or fill in a Printing Request and we’ll get back to you.
Printing request Form
Printing Request
3D Printer | Booking Form
Visible Ink have a 3D printer available for small scale projects and concept experiments. It is free to use, but be aware you do need to book to use this resource. Our staff are happy to provide you with a basic induction on how to use and clean the 3D printer before you kick off on your projects.
3D Printer Booking Form
3D Printer Booking Form
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.
Getting started with zines
Updates
Young People
Young people defining Brisbane | Get Profiled
Cantalopez Collective: creators, collaborators, journey makers
What happens when a hip-hop artist and an engineering student meet at a poetry symposium? Made up of Pastel Don and Mulan Theory, Cantalopez Collective is a shared passion for innovation across multiple genres and a dream of being able to create music for a living. We sat down with the Collective over lunch, talking… Read more »
Skyler Castillo: dabbler, artist.
Just 20 years old, into sketching, film and aesthetics, Skyler Castillo has become a regular fixture around Visible Ink, starting out as a volunteer at Brisbane Youth Week and going on to co-found a monthly creatives meet-up, KISVIS. Her passion for creation, motivation to learn, and open, friendly approach to collaboration make working alongside Skyler… Read more »
Dylan Cattanach talks KB Theory
KB Theory are a Brisbane-based indie band blending pop-rock to create catchy melodies and bursts of pop with fun lyrics that have become a part of their signature sound. Dylan Cattanach, songwriter and lead vocalist chatted with us about their upcoming projects, getting started, and influences. What would you say led you to where you… Read more »
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 »
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.
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.
E-Newsletter
Subscribe and keep up to date with what’s happening at the hub, find out about projects and get engaged with some of BCC’s free events and workshops.
Events
Youth Week at Visible Ink
Get involved in Brisbane Youth Week from Wednesday 3 – Sunday 14 April 2019, the annual celebration of young people from 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 live events and celebrate their contribution to the community.
Visible Ink has opportunities for young people 12-25 years to develop event management skills during Brisbane Youth Week and throughout 2019. Contact Visible Ink to get involved, just hit us up and join an amazing team of young people creating events for young people.
For more information about the free events during Youth Week including live music festivals, slam poetry competitions, creative networking and way, way more stay connected with us or Brisbane City Council and we’ll update you closer to the date.
2018 Highlights from Brisbane Youth Week
Brisbane Youth Week 2018 provided 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.
2018 Photo Gallery from Brisbane Youth Week
Are you an emerging activist?
Active Citizenship: Free workshops suitable for anyone with a passion to drive change
Saturday 23 March, 2:30pm-5:30pm | Saturday 13 April, 10:30am-1:30pm | Saturday 4 May, 12:30pm-3:30pm
Where: Visible Ink Youth Hub, 5 Green Square Close, fortitude Valley
Cost: Free
Ages: 12-25 years
Bookings: Email visibleinkvalley@brisbane.qld.gov.au to confirm your place
Join us for an interactive and immersive workshop to build your skills in planning, designing and producing activist campaigns and events. This workshop will briefly explore successful activist campaigns across the globe, and go through the makings of successful campaigns and events, before putting this in the context of social movement building. You will also have the opportunity to build your own campaign/event within the workshop.
This workshop is facilitated by The One Woman Project. They are one of Australia’s fastest-growing, youth-led, not-for-profit organisations dedicated to providing quality education about and advocacy promoting global gender equality. We believe that the first step to gender equality is providing our young people with the education, skills and power to tackle it in their local, national and international communities.
You can find more information by emailing or chatting to Vis Ink staff.
Creative Hangouts
Visible Ink is hosting a series of casual creative hangouts on everything from visual arts to music to sound and lighting equipment.
UPCOMING DECEMBER-JANUARY SESSIONS
- Intro to Colour Theory | Wed 19 Dec | 2pm
- Introduction to Vis Ink’s Music Production + Recording Equipment | Thurs 20 Dec | 5pm
- Watercolour Basics | Sat 22 Dec | 10am
- Intro to Knitting | Wed 16 Jan | 4pm
Keep an eye out for upcoming sessions here or in the space. And feel free to chat to staff if you have a hangout you’d like to host.
Girls Going Places – Young Entrepreneurs Panel
Girls Going Places is a female entrepreneurial panel night where three successful and creative female business owners will share and discuss their skills and experience in an entertaining and relaxed environment.
- Georgia Press, owner of Barnu By Georgia is a 17 year old jewellery maker still completing high school,
- Amanda Campeanu is an Instagram strategist who quit the corporate world to begin her own business venture Plush Content Co, and
- Candice Darryl, an event and digital marketer for Venzin group who also has a side business, Vay Stay, selling fully recycled coffee scrubs.
Through an engaging panel discussion, question and answer segment, product displays and a lot of laughs this event will combine entertaining conversation, discussion and the ability for young women to network and learn from three engaging female panelists.
When: Tuesday 16 October 2018, 6pm-8pm
Where: Pawpaw Cafe, 898 Stanley Street East, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102
Cost: Free, RSVP via Eventbrite
If you RSVP to this event you are agreeing to the terms and condition including filming of the event and image taking. Please advise us directly if you do not wish to be filmed or photographed.
You can find out more about Girls Going Places on Facebook.
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.
Latest
Visible Ink Christmas Opening Hours
This holiday season Visible Ink will remain staffed Wednesdays to Saturdays as per our usual opening hours (except Boxing Day, Wednesday 26 Dec):
- Wednesday to Friday, 12pm-8pm
- Saturday, 9am-12pm
During those days you can come in and escape the heat to print, make and create as well as check out the Copy + Destroy Zine Library.
We are also still accepting bookings every day of the holidays including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. You just need to make a booking request and once confirmed pick up an access card during our opening hours. We will not accept bookings for Monday 31 Dec.
Stay safe and have a great festive season if we don’t see you around before then. #public announcement #visink
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. #public announcement #visink