Welcome to the Social Inkubator!

History of Visible Ink Valley

In 2001, Brisbane City Council developed a Youth Strategy to better support young people across the city. Read more

Projects and ideas from young people accessing Visible Ink

With over 40 000 young people making contact with Visible Ink each year, there is a massive amount of ideas, projects, events and groups making Brisbane a vibrant city. Here is just a short list of some of the things that young people supported by Visible Ink are up to:

Hiphop rehearsals
Island Vibe Festival planning
Chinese Metal Pole dance rehearsal
Greenpeace training
Art Exhibitions
Running a business or community organisation
Baby Sitting Course
Theatre rehearsals
Barefoot Bocce’
Intercultural youth work course
Latin dance workshops
Business coaching
Dance for fitness
World Vision meetings
Computer game development
Circus workshops
Photography
Training for emerging facilitators
Film shoots
Rehearsing musicals
Performing theatre
Occupational therapy
Guitar making
All ages event planning
Printing flyers for upcoming gigs
Podcasting
Art classes
Painting props
Holding annual meetings for the United Nations Youth Association
Educational training
Interagencies

Don’t forget to check out the Visible Ink Spaces and some of the projects Council is running with young people.

Youth Enterprise Program

Council’s Youth Enterprise Program delivers on Council’s 2026 Vision for a Smart and Prosperous City. We provide a wide range of opportunities for young people exploring ideas in creating their own business, not-for-profit groups and everything in between. For further details and opportunities, contact Ryan.Foster@brisbane.qld.gov.au 

WE CURRENTLY OFFER:
Free office space in the Valley:
Visible Ink Valley is seeking expressions of interest from young people interested in free office space.

Visible Ink Valley is a vibrant space that provides free access to computers, internet, equipment, meeting rooms, rehearsal space and office space…all for young people under 26 yrs of age who are seeking support make their ideas a reality. We are located in central Fortitude Valley with easy access to public transport.

We currently have 2 office spaces available for interested young people seeking a space to establish or grow their business or community project.

THE SPACE:
Each office is 16 sq metres, is individually lockable, airconditioned and accessible 7 days a week 8am – 10pm. Each office includes, desks, chairs, internet, electricity and a phone. You also have access to meeting rooms, bathrooms and kitchen facilities.

THE CRITERIA
We are seeking:
- young people under 26 or a group with the majority of people under 26
- any enterprise (for profit or non profit)
- groups/ individuals that will use the space 4-5 weekdays a week. We are not seeking groups looking for only night-time or weekend access.
- groups or individuals that will benefit from being here..ie those that have a sound business plan/ idea of how 6 months free rent will lead them to be able to afford to move out in December and afford rent elsewhere.
- groups or individuals that have something to offer other young people (this could be offering workshops, advice, assistance, services etc). We are seeking someone who is able to work with us in offering something extra from Visible Ink Valley – ideally on a weekly or monthly basis.

THE OFFER
We are offering each office (incl internet and phonecalls) free of charge until December 2011. We will be commencing a new program in 2011 and you will be welcome to reapply for space if you are suitable. In return for free space, internet, electricity and phones (valued at approximately $5000 for 6 months), we are seeking groups that are eager to partner with us to deliver additional services to young people that use the visible ink space. We are interested in offers of free workshops, activities, classes, services, mentoring, advice and anything in between. We are interested in offers that can be delivered weekly, fortnightly or monthly dependent on demand and availability. 

STILL INTERESTED?
You are welcome to come down and view the offices available to make sure they’d meet your needs.
If interested in applying for a space, please send an email to Ryan.Foster@brisbane.qld.gov.au that details:
- your name, age, group/business/project name and all relevant contact details, and how often you would use the space.
- a brief overview of what you do/ are hoping to do
- a brief overview of where you are at with your progress, highlighting how you will become self sufficient enough in 6 months to be able to move out in December
- a brief overview of what you can offer Visible Ink (ie workshops, artwork, activities, design advice or anything else…)

Please email us by Sunday 12th June.
You are welcome to attach any supporting documents but there is no need to write pages of information. 1-2 pages total should be enough to give us an idea of who you are, what you do and how we could work together.
We will shortlist applicants and arrange a time to meet a couple of interested and suitable applicants in the following week, aiming to make a decision by the 20th June with tenants available to move in by July 1st.

If you have any questions at all, please email Ryan.Foster@brisbane.qld.gov.au  or call us on 34030136.

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PAST YOUTH ENTERPRISE PROJECTS

- Social Incubator:
 Our past program of offering office space to young people has supported more than 30 enterprises (for profit and not-for-profit enterprises). You can check out some of our past tenants here.

- Young Achievement Australia Trade Expo:
We supported the development of new model businesses that teach secondary and tertiary students about how to start up their own company, develop team building skills, build confidence and manage finances. The program lead to a huge market day where all groups sell their products at Southbank Markets in August. Visit YAAs website for all details.

- UPLOAD Young Entrepreneurs Camps:
We co-funded Edgeware’s Upload Camp for highschool students in the school holidays. The program provided a creative environment for young people to explore ideas about creativity, business and life in general. A unique, supportive program to say the least. Visit the Upload website for more information.

-Bizness Babes and Blokes:
We partnered with Bleeding Heart and The Wise Foundation to run Brisbane’s first Bizness Babes program to great success. The program successfully provided free business training (and childcare!) to mothers and young women who otherwise might not get the chance. The program is currently being adapted for men that are passionate about starting their own business but who faced significant challenges in the past.

- Networking + Training Events:
Spawned from our Youth Enterprise Symposium event, a group of young Brisbanites initiated the network Youth, Entrepreneurship and Social innovation. They’ve run a number of small scale events in focused on young people presenting successful enterprises and networking with eachother to share ideas and skills.

-Micro-grants:
We partnered with local youth organisations who are currently supporting young people, to connect with a mentor and access funds to explore taking a hobby through to a small business. 

Click here for more information about Visible Ink Valley’s current programs.