Young people told Council that it wasn’t practical to always meet in coffee shops, that rehearsal space in the city was too expensive, that they couldn’t have groups of people around Mum and Dads lounge room to plan events and that it was impossible to book a community space without being over 18 yrs of age. The result of these comments led Council to build a Visible Ink space in order to limit the barriers for young people to be active in Brisbane.

Council worked with young people to build a well resourced, well supported and connected, accessible, safe space at Constance St Fortitude Valley. The Visible Ink Valley (VIV) space was opened in 2002 and the two storey building featured a meeting room, computer lab, kitchen, art garage and an upstairs rehearsal space with two offices. The facility also housed Brisbane’s only ongoing independent zine library.

For four years, VIV supported more than 40000 young people to initiate and participate in their own projects, events, workshops, meetings, film nights, festivals, dance and theatre rehearsals, businesses, environmental groups and exhibitions. The name ‘visible ink’ reflected a self initiating attitude of all those who frequented the space. The concept was simple…resource young people to become more visible in Brisbane and the result will be that the broader community will take notice (and share this notice through ink based press such as local media).

In 2004, Visible Ink received an influx of interest from around the country. National Conferences added tours of Visible Ink to their itinerary. The Australian wide Vibewire Youth Services also visited and after being impressed by VIV, they successfully lobbied Sydney City Council for a similar space. Representatives from the Solomon Islands visited in late 20054, seeking ideas for creative approaches to youth issues.

In 2005, VIV relocated to a new venue to make way for Council’s 3 storey, 5 star energy efficient ‘Green Square’ office block. While staff were hesitant about the move, consultations with young people resulted in the location of VIV’s new home: a two storey building in Berwick St Fortitude Valley – twice the size of the previous building.

Officially opened by the Hon. Lord Mayor Campbell Newman in National Youth Week 2006, the larger site offered 10 office spaces for young people’s business and community initiatives. VIV now also offered a rehearsal space twice the size of the previous space, with ground floor location improving access for prams, wheelchairs and scooters. Finally, a training room provided additional space for community groups seeking a safe and friendly environment for delivering training to young people.

In 2011, Visible Ink moved into their current premises at 5 Green Square Close. The purpose built space is part of Sir Thomas Reginald Groom Place and the Maida Lilley Community Centre. This 8 story building features youth services on the ground floor, a community centre and housing support services on level 1, and 80 affordable housing units on the remaining floors. Officially launched in October 2011, Visible Ink now features a custom built rehearsal space, 4 offices for emerging young enterprises and community projects, a large meeting room, arts hub, public computer access, a zine space, kitchen area and outdoor courtyard.

Since 2002, VIV has evolved to offer an inclusive program of services that continue to meet the needs of over 16000 young visitors a year. From young businesses, to environmental groups, to innovative theatre and dance performances, VIV is a thriving hub of activity. It’s not uncommon to drop by and see a university student discussing local events and opportunities with someone connected to the local homelessness service…but they probably don’t know this about eachother. They are both here to connect. To learn. To have fun. To be themselves.

VIV has evolved to offer an inclusive program of services that continue to meet the needs of over 16000 young visitors a year. You check out our current projects by clicking here.

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.

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.