Sometimes I find that people often feel that taking the creative path is a hard one. Indeed, it can…read moreat times be a case of Struggle Street: population 1. But never fear, Visible Ink is here to help. It turns out the government IS there for the people often in ways you wouldn't even expect. Visible Ink is a government branch set up to help Brisbane youth (between 12- 26) with their creative pursuits. It doesn't matter what branch of creativity you work under, Visible Ink has space and facilities that are useful to pretty much everybody. They have rehearsal spaces, an art room, photocopiers, free access to internet and computers and office space for meetings and workshopping. The fine folk at Visible Ink often have a hand in local events around town. One such event was this year's Valley Fiesta, where Visible Ink had a stage where musicians who regularly use the facilities could perform. The staff at Visible Ink are great to chat with about your plans- they're masters at giving out practical and useful advice and thinking about your plans in ways you'd never imagined. To use office space and facilities, you do have to fill out an application form that will often take 3-4 weeks to be processed, where you have to site why you want to use the space (FYI: it's ok for you to use the space for non commercial ventures as well). If you're between 12-26 and want some help in setting up your creative venture, maybe you should stroll on down to Visible Ink in Greensquare Close, Fortitude Valley.

Visible Ink is a veritable smorgesboard for creative folk in Brisbane. Set up an office space,…read moreparticipate in community-based workshops, borrow equipment, make use of the rehearsal room, or even make and distribute your own zine. This is a space for young people (under 26) and gives often marginalised young people a chance to express themselves in ways they wouldn't normally have the opportunity to. There are five Visible Ink spaces across Brisbane, however, this review is for the Fortitude Valley space. I was lucky enough to be a part of the 2010 Visible Ink Incubator program and was able to make friends and work with young people in our community doing everything from animation to music composition to film production. Perhaps the best thing has been seeing these friends use Visible Ink as a spring board to bigger and better projects and opportunities - which I guess is what is at the heart of what Visible Ink do. Tenants and Incubators can take advantage of the knowledge of staff across all facets of setting up a business, organising an event (however big the scale) and feel empowered to bring their ideas (within reason) to life.

This may not be the university for the real world, but this is the place you go to follow your…read moredreams in the face of everyone asking you how you're going to get a job afterwards. This is the place to go when the desire to work in a creative field outweighs logic and parental approval. This is the place to study fine arts, design, photography, sculpture and a myriad of visual arts. As a professional student, I've enjoyed walking the paths of many educational institutions. There's been University of Queensland, Southbank institute of Technology and Macquarie University but none compare to Griffith, Queensland College of Art. On the exterior, the QCA is in desperate need of refurbishment - walls need to be repainted, the main shoebox building should be razed and resurrected taller, angular with a funky facade made of colourful panels and glass. Strip back its worn exterior though and you'll find plenty of resources to help you achieve your career goals. The college has three gallery spaces at the Southbank campus for student exhibitions. They facilitate regular educational seminars through their network with industry and international art schools. The relative smallness of the campus promotes a sense of community and encourages collaboration across creative disciplines. I remember during my time studying an animation degree, I decided to exhibit some ceramic pieces. Even though I was not enrolled in the ceramics course, the staff from that department was extremely generous sharing their knowledge and equipment for my project. So if you've ever thought your childhood scribbles had potential or if you were begging your parents for acrylic paints by the time you were five because of the limitations of crayons, perhaps now is the time to consider a creative career.

Let your creativity flow and don't be afraid to dream. At Queensland College of Art you'll be able…read moreto develop yourself as an artist as you grow up. Let your imagination free and express yourself in your own way.

Brisbane Institute of Art is a not-for-profit community college with classes designed to suit all…read moreskill levels and lifestyles. They offer short courses over a weekend for people interested in learning the foundations of jewellery making, painting, ceramic or photography. There are also regular evening classes throughout the semester for those who prefer a structured framework to develop their skills. I've previously studied painting and ceramics here and found the tutors knowledgeable and the classes friendly. However, I think these classes are tailored towards hobbyists. I was frustrated with the emphasis placed on creativity over technical skills. Having also done short painting and sculpting courses at Southbank Tafe and Queensland College of Arts, I think a short course with QCA Enterprise or Southbank Tafe would suit people wishing to pursue their art seriously and the prices would be comparable as well. NB: Some subjects at Brisbane Institute of Art can count towards a Certificate in Art or a Diploma in Art but check with staff for clarification. NB: Opening hours refer to the office hours. BIA is open on weekends and evenings for students attending classes

Writing may be a solitary craft but aspiring wordsmiths and word nerds need loving too. That's why…read moreI've been a member of the Queensland Writers Centre (or QWC for short) for the past three years. While I do spend the majority of my time tap, tap, tapping away at my keyboard (or when I'm feeling nostalgic, click, clack, clacking away at an old fashion typewriter), I'm not by nature an anti-social person. I'd go crazy without the professional, moral and social support provided by the QWC. In January, they've organised the Rabbit Hole - a free three day group writing workshop at the State Library of Queensland. On the first Monday of every month, they host the letter writing club where everyone works on an old fashion typewriter. It's a cathartic experience, worlds away from the millions of emails we shoot off on a weekly basis. This organisation is not just for writers, but anyone who enjoys reading. This is the mob who organises the Brisbane Writers Week every October. Last year's festival had a stellar line up of interviews and Q & As with Australian and international authors, not to mention master classes, podcasts and illustration workshops. Queensland Writers Centre is definitely one to write home about. For more information, visit http://www.qwc.asn.au

I recently read that dabbling makes you a better business person. Maybe they made it up for the…read morepurpose of their buzz word filled article, but I genuinely love the idea of being able to dabble in all types of things from arts and crafts to social psychology and photography. Thankfully, organisations like Laneway Learning make this possible. Having watched Melbourne based friends, via gloating Instagram feeds, trundle off to Laneway Learning classes it was exciting to learn they were establishing a chapter here in the Sunshine State. It's early days and the classes are still building but it seems that each week there's something new to take your dabbling fancy. My first Laneway Lesson was in the art of Miso. For $15 ($12 for the class, $3 for materials) it was a reasonably affordable night in the heart of the CBD at Bean Cafe. Gav, Bean's owner, kept the cafe open and students could buy a cold brew coffee or wine. Each teacher is just finding their feet and there's allowances that must be made during this period. I was a little disappointed that one of the recipes our teacher shared was "just from Google". I expressed this in my feedback form as, call me a cranky old woman, but with the teacher being Japanese herself, I would have loved to take home her own recipe. But like I said, allowances must be given as everyone finds their feet and way. I learnt a few tips and tricks and have experimented making miso marinated hard boiled eggs, miso soup for breakfast and more since the class. I'm really looking forward to hopefully making it along to more classes including the one to make lemon curd and another to learn more about typography. Happy Dabbling!

I have recently attended a haircuts class, organised by Laneway Learning Team. I was surprised how…read moreprofessionally the class has been organised by the team, as well as how professional was Sara Courtney, an instructor who lead the course. The class was held in friendly environment of the Bean cafe and I have received a lot of satisfaction and useful information from the class. Thankfully to Sara, I now know a secrets of how to make great Hollywood stars level haircuts in just 10 minutes. A bit thanks to Laneway Learning Team, personally to Sara Courtney for organising such a beautiful class! Hope to see you soon! :)))))

Theatre and Dance is one of the best performing arts schools in Brisbane! Having only discovered…read morethem in my adult years, I only wish that I had been sent as a kid to learn how to sing, dance and act by the amazing teachers Theatre and Dance have to offer. The dance school is in an industrial area of Coorpooroo and is an absolutely huge warehouse space with a theatre and six rehearsal rooms. Classes are available in singing and dancing for tiny tots all the way up to adults, so stop singing into your hair brush in front of you mirror and give these guys a call! I've rehearsed for shows at Theatre and Dance as well as taken singing and dancing classes with some of the teachers, and I must say I've never been disappointed. The little kids who learn at the studio all seem so happy and there's absolutely no Toddlers & Tiaras parents running around spraying hairspray in someone's eyes. I would highly recommend Theatre & Dance to anyone who has little kids or teenagers who are interested in the performing arts. It has a great family feel and the staff are brilliant.

This university is selfish and manipulative. It does not support its students what's so ever and…read morecontinues to encourage you to drop out if you ask for help. They are disorganised and discouraging. I have struggled with so much during my time studying and have asked for a helping hand in numerous occasions and they tell me to drop out and say I won't succeed. Also don't attend if you are pregnant because they will continue to pressure you to do things that you have been instructed are not safe during pregnancy (by your own dr). I have basically been instructed that I have to terminate in order to graduate otherwise it is best I drop out of my studies if I wish to be a mother.

I had heard about Griffith University before I even moved to Australia, I decided to look into it…read morewhen I wanted to further my studies. I took a 1 year course at Griffith in the Business school. The first thing was to attend to a meet and greet evening which was quite nice because you got to meet all the lecturers and students that you were going to be doing the course with. It also felt like that gave the whole experience a more personal touch. It was also a chance to be shown around the enormous campus with its many computer labs and library that has just been renovated. I had a great year over all at Griffith and found that the courses were fun and the lecturers did an amazing job and everything was quite up to date with current affairs and trends and I felt like it has set me up with the skills that I set out to acquire from the business school. I was also pleased to find out that Griffith University was rated in the top 10 of Australian research institutes. It wasn't hard to learn where everything was on the campus and I was glad to find the bar that had some great student nights. I would recommend Griffith University to anyone who wants to further their education. There are open nights during the year that will better explain all the courses that are provided and at what campus they will be held. Its also a chance for people to check out the place for themselves and meet people who went there and are teaching there.

Each year, I leave the Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) inspired, stimulated and sad that it's over…read morefor another year. For a week every September, BWF inhabits the State Library of Queensland bringing a host of local, national and international literary talents to its stages. Writers from all fields--literature, science, politics, psychology--come to talk about their work, discuss topics with other writers and deliver workshops over the week-long festival. The first four days are usually filled with events for school groups and the real events kick off with the opening night on a Thursday, followed by 3 jam-packed days of events for the adults. At BWF, there are both ticketed and non-ticketed events. I've always just stuck to the free ones and have never felt like I've missed out on anything. If happy to splash out, however, $15 to $20 will get you into a ticketed events. Master classes will set you back around $75 for 3 hours. Keep an eye on their website for the release of each year's program. Hard copies are also distributed in the Courier Mail nearing the festival and at bookshops such as Avid Reader, West End.

If the thought of books, writing, or reading makes you want to jump for joy, then the Brisbane…read moreWriter's Festival is a must. This festival has gone from strength to strength over the years, and attracts a strong variety of local and international writers every year. Last year, Jonathan Franzen, Ann Patchett, and Philip Pullman were among the big names that drew record number crowds. There are always interesting panels, workshops (oftentimes free, and many of them geared towards kids), and author interviews every day of the festival, and the venues for each event alternate between the clean, modern State Library facilities. The catering has also improved; this year they offered festival-goers a variety of sandwiches and freshly baked muffins, as well as rice paper rolls. Each year there is also a surprise flash mob too; two years ago a group of dancers executed a choreographed routine in one of the tents, and last year, a choir began singing on the ground level of the library.