Vibewire youth inc. a non-profit Youth organisation, dedicated to providing increased opportunities for Australia’s youth; encourages and stimulates an entrepreneurial spirit by unlocking the talents, imagination and creativity of youth as drivers of change, addressing important economic, environmental and social issues within their communities.

As part of our mission, we are holding a series of workshops related to arts, creativity and social entrepreneurship.

The workshop will take place once a month (on the 3rd Saturday of each month) at the Vibewire Enterprise hub in Ultimo.

They will be facilitated by passionate upcoming artists, entrepreneurs, thought leaders wanting to share their skills and knowledge in a fun and creative environment.

To book any of these workshops, email events@vibewire.org or info@vibewire.org.

18th April “Designing serious games” with Janine Cahill

As part of the e-Festival of Ideas, we will incorporate Serious Gaming; topics covering from politics, art, culture, social change and democracy.

Serious Games have a purpose beyond having fun. It could be to educate or learn, to engage people in a concept or idea, or to produce something of value. Pervasive Games are a real-life, technologically infused design-your-own-experience game. Using technology, from dummy websites, mobiles, Bluetooth, video and digital cameras, pervasive games extend gaming from the physical to the virtual world.

So a serious pervasive game is one played in the real world with connections to virtual and digital spaces with the purpose of engaging more people more deeply in the e-Festival of Ideas topic of your choice. Join us for an amazing ride! We are looking for participants to create, run and play the games.

About Janine Cahill

Janine Cahill is a Sydney-based strategy and futures consultant. Working in the innovation space where futures, business, technology and art converge, Janine is collaborating globally on a number of projects for the purpose of deepening the experience of the future today.

16th May “Innovation and entrepreneurship workshop” with Todd Heslin

A workshop focused on identifying the sources of innovative opportunities in today’s complex business, artistic, and social environments. This workshop will use discussions, team activities and case studies to assist participants in developing strategies for their enterprises. Participants will split into groups and assigned a relevant product or service and be asked to jointly develop an innovative business model for. Whether you are in start-up phase, established, or well on your way, this workshop will help you inject innovation into your venture.

About Todd Heslin:

Entrepreneurship is in Todd’s blood. At the age of 14, when his parents moved onto an Aquaculture farm, Todd started the business of selling Yabbies to pet shops and restaurants. This was quite a healthy business and a significant amount of money for a teenager when the summer months could yield between $150 and $200 per week. During his final year at high school, Todd was selected for the two-year Cadetship program with three of the four global accounting firms and chose to work for Ernst & Young. Todd was presented with a leadership award from the Australian Defence Force in 2006, recognising his contribution to his high school where he was elected school captain in his senior year. During his experience in the Assurance and Corporate Finance divisions at Ernst & Young, Todd discovered a world of business which he never quite understood. However, in the final year of the program, he realised that his passion for running his own business was more rewarding than continuing a corporate career. His current business, Apathco Group, is now just over one year old and is growing at a rapid but healthy pace. Todd continues to study business strategy at the University of New South Wales whilst running Apathco Group with his business partner.

30th May “Expose yourself” with Jonica Bray and Talia Taylor Jones

This workshop will explore the shameless art of self-promotion! Find out how PR can help your business. You’ll learn how to create a simple PR plan and identify your target market, the main ways to secure free editorial coverage, how to develop story material for your pitch, the basis of creating a PR event, how to select the best promo products for your business and how to become an expert with chatrooms and forums. Jonica Bray from Publicity Insider presents PR Secrets for beginners – tips, tricks and tools to increase your exposure, while Talia Taylor Jones from rare Indigo presents – Make an impact – How to get your products and services noticed.

About Jonica Bray and Talia Taylor Jones:

Jonica has years of experience in local, national and International media as a journalist. After working for leading national and international press and liaising with PR agencies on a daily basis, she has a world of experience to share. Learning through other professionals in her field Jonica started Publicity Insider, a consultancy that teaches people the secrets to free publicity.

Talia Taylor Jones has 12 years experience in event management, promotions & hospitality industries. Drawing from her experience & enthusiasm for outstanding service, Talia founded Rare Indigo Australia, a company that specializes in events, corporate hospitality & promotion for small & medium business.

20th June “Band Management and Running Festival” with Francis Coady

Francis Coady knows how to capture talent and package it. He’s done it again and again with filmmakers, musicians and events. In this workshop he’ll share his knowledge on how to manage an artist or your band, what to look for before signing a contract, as well as how to effectively run a festival. The change of landscape, what this means for your band/festival/artistic venture and ways of navigating through this financial crises will also be explored. Com ask all those burning questions, meet others looking to break into the industry, grow your networks and start the ball rolling.

About Francis Coady:

Francis Coady founded THE COADY GROUP in 2001. They have since developed and supported numerous musicians, film makers and creative types with one objective in mind. “To assist creative people reach their full potential!”
The Coady Group also began the annual Bondi Short Film Festival in 2000 which has fostered the careers of some of Australia’s finest film makers and has established itself as one of the premier film festivals in the country.
The Coady Group’s core business areas focus on Artist Management, Talent Agency representation, Entertainment Consultation and Special Events.

July 4th: “Bookbinding: Hands on with Leather & Thread” with Michelle Vandermeer

Michelle Vandermeer will demonstrate how you can create your own leatherbound notebook using a traditional bookbinding technique known as ‘cross-structure’ binding. We’ll provide the leather, paper and linen thread. You’ll need to bring a Stanley knife, steel ruler, cutting mat, and sewing needle. Each participant will fold, cut and sew their very own softcover book that they can take home at the end of the workshop. $40 incl costs of the supplied materials.

About Michelle Vandermeer:

Michelle Vandermeer is a Sydney-based designer whose work encompasses graphic design, photography, art, product design, and book design/binding. Since completing degrees in architecture and graphic design, she now works as a design director in a Surry Hills studio, manages her own freelance design practice, and has created a range of handmade books, jewellery and stationery marketed under the brand Shelbyville.

18th July “Expose yourself Advanced” with Jonica Bray

Did you know that most press releases end up in the bin? This workshop will help you understand the complexities of a press release; when to use it; and how to effectively structure and format it in the way journalists expect. Get copy writing tips and templates, along with the dos and don’ts of press release writing. By the end of the workshop you will have a solid understanding of: what the media wants, how to build relationships with the media, how to distribute your press releases, interview and photography tips; and how to secure longer articles in the press.

About Jonica Bray:

Jonica has years of experience in local, national and International media as a journalist. After working for leading national and international press and liaising with PR agencies on a daily basis, she has a world of experience to share. Learning through other professionals in her field Jonica started Publicity Insider, a consultancy that teaches people the secrets to free publicity.

15th August “Tips for building ideas, projects & networks” with Donnie Maclurcan

This is a highly practical workshop for budding and existing creatives and social entrepreneurs. The session will reflect on the quick tips, direct links, networks and lessons useful for sustaining or scaling-up your ideas that Donnie would have loved to have known a long time ago! Workshop to include links to a whole lot of free stuff, thoughts on new media, volunteer management and tips for maintaining your ideas/projects while practicing the fine art of juggling. The session will be interactive, allowing participants to work through situations relevant to their own work.

Workshop also includes links to a whole lot of free stuffs, thoughts on new media, volunteer management and tips for maintaining sanity as a social entrepreneur.

About Donnie Maclurcan:

Donnie Maclurcan works with Project Australia – a national incubator for social entrepreneurship. He is passionate about appropriate technology, open source design, permaculture, sustainability and alternatives to the ‘growth paradigm’. He hopes to quietly help inspire a creative transition to truly equitable and sustainable societies, where people think critically, act collectively and live considerately.

17th October “The Hero’s Journey”, with Marcus Dabb

The Hero’s Journey is a tool for transformation. In this workshop archetypal stories are used as a resource for defining your legacy. The hero is called to a deeper life where they follow their passion; leave what is familiar, go through various challenges, connect with mentors along the way, win a decisive victory, and as a result, are transformed forever. They return to the community and use their gifts to then change the culture around them. This workshop is for anyone interested in unlocking his or her creative passion, becoming a change agent, and desiring personal growth.

About Marcus Dabb:

Marcus handles the recruitment division of Outward Bound, which runs personal development programs throughout the country. His life changed when he discovered what Joseph Campbell coined, ‘the heroes’ journey.’ Shortly after, he cast off the shackles of a secure public service job to begin his own great adventure. After gaining a qualification as a trainer and deepening his understanding of the heroes’ journey and its application to modern life, he ventured out with his unique message. Marcus has presented talks and workshops to various groups including Rotary Youth, Toastmasters, Clients of Mission Australia and supporters of Youth Off the Streets.

7th November “Freelance writing & blogging” with Rachel Hills

Want to find an audience for your writing? This workshop will equip you with the skills, confidence and know-how to get yourself into mainstream and niche publications – or even, to start your own. Find out how to get your byline in your favourite magazines, newspapers and websites by learning the essential tools of a freelance journalist: from writing pitches and shaping stories for different publications and markets, to negotiating pay and working with editors. Then discover how to build an audience for your work on your own terms, with the secrets of a successful blog.

About Rachel Hills:

Rachel Hills is weaving her way through Australia’s independent and mainstream media spheres as a writer, editor, project manager and social commentator. Her thoughts on gender, politics, media and technology have been published in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian, The Courier-Mail, The Big Issue, Vogue, YEN and many others. Rachel is currently writing her first book, on sex, status and identity. Rachelhills.tumblr.com, was recently listed by The Australian as one of Australia’s best blogs. You can find her work online at www.rachelhills.net.

21st October “Guerrilla Photography” with Mark Sherborne and Michelle Vandermeer

Bring your digital, film, or phone cameras, and discover new techniques to improve your shots. Experiment with different lighting, framing, angles and textures. A range of different photography styles, cameras, formats and printing options will be explored and discussed. You’ll also receive instructions for participating in an urban photography adventure (later, in your own time) that will encourage you to venture out into the city and put theory into practice in a fun and innovative way. Following the workshop, the results of the photography adventure will featured in an exhibition in Vibewire’s Enterprise Hub space.

About Marks Sherborne and Michelle Vandermeer:

Mark Sherborne is a freelance photographer and marketing consultant who has seen his work published in GQ, Sydney Morning Herald, PhotoReview, The Class, etc. His photographic pursuits relate to photojournalism, musicians, and fine art photography. Mark has worked for labels such as Modular Records and shot live gigs for groups such as Presets, Bang Gang, Bagraiders, Van She, The Klaxons, and The Valentinos.

Michelle Vandermeer is a Sydney-based designer whose work encompasses graphic design, photography, art, product design, and book design/binding. Over the years Michelle has initiated several photography adventures and their subsequent exhibitions, most recently at the 2008 This Is Not Art festival in Newcastle.

12th December “Green Xmas & Sustainable Design” with Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis

Sustainable design is the way of the future. Whether you are an artist or entrepreneur, come find out where design is headed, raise your consciousness, and stay ahead of the curve. You will be challenged to think of creative ways of designing new stuff while remaining environmentally sound. This workshop you will give you the opportunity to reflect on the basic concept of the Life Cycle of a product and permanently alter how you view the world around you. You will explore what it means to be a responsible consumer and look at case studies of inspirational next generation items coming soon to a store near you.

About Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis

You will also have to the opportunity to create some great Christmas decorations for friends and family while reducing your holiday carbon footprint.

Nicholas Karlovasitis and Sarah Gibson first met whilst studying industrial design at the University of Technology Sydney. Having worked in the industry for several years, Nicholas and Sarah started creating products of their own. In 2006, they decided to follow their passion to create innovative and sustainable products for the Australian and international market. They both teach Ecodesign part-time at University of Technology Sydney and run their own firm, DesignByThem in Chippendale.