Brisbane City Council is relaunching its youth activity program to make it available across more suburbs.
From December 2026, Young BNE will replace Visible Ink, which has been operating in Fortitude Valley for 25 years.
Young BNE will offer free rehearsal spaces at seven facilities across Hamilton, Bracken Ridge, Inala, Zillmere, Acacia Ridge, Wynnum and Fortitude Valley.
Mirrored walls for dance and performance practice are being installed from this month.
Free meeting spaces will also be offered at 36 libraries and community facilities across Brisbane.
This includes seven spaces available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Banyo, Carindale, Chermside, Garden City, Indooroopilly, Mt Ommaney and New Farm libraries.
As part of the transition, the existing Visible Ink facility at Fortitude Valley will close next month and fellow tenant Open Doors Youth Service will expand its operations.
Visible Ink began in 2001, offering people aged 12 to 25 access to a free meeting and performance space and skill building workshops.
“While Visible Ink has supported thousands of young people over the past 25 years, feedback has repeatedly highlighted a desire for more local opportunities,” the Council said in a statement.
“Expanding into the suburbs reflects the way young people engage today, making it easier for more young people and their families to access programs closer to home.”
Visible Ink’s programs and staff will transition to Young BNE.
The Council said the program overhaul aimed to double the number of young people able to access creative and development opportunities over the next two years.
Young BNE will continue partnering with community organisations including Open Doors Youth Service, BABI Youth Services, Mt Gravatt PCYC and Red Cross Night Café, and seek new partners.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Council wanted Brisbane to be a city where young people had plenty to see and do.
“Visible Ink has been helping Brisbane’s young creatives pursue their passions for 25 years and now we’re taking this popular program into the suburbs,” he said.
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