Otepoti Youth Space is calling on Dunedin’s youth to participate in a pop-up space designed just for them.
The new space will have a trial run from May 8 to 21 as part of this year’s Youth Week, a national festival of events designed to celebrate young people.
Pop-up spokesman Paul Smith said the venue, at the Community Gallery and neighbouring Te Whare o Rukutia in Princes St, was a chance to show Dunedin it was possible to sustain a place where young people could be creative.
"We want to create a welcoming hang-out space with a range of workshops, open-mic evenings, youth bands, visual arts and poetry," he said.
Young people often had a hard time finding a place for themselves.
"Maybe they can’t or don’t want to go to bars or drive anywhere, but they want independence from their parents.
"This space is a home for them," Mr Smith said.
The pop-up space would not be permanent, but was a chance to see if such a space was viable, and for young people to give their input into what a future and permanent youth space might look like.
Otepoti Youth Space co-ordinator Jo Taylor said this would be a great opportunity for rangatahi to express themselves and to celebrate the role young people played in the community.
“Now’s the time to get involved."
