OUR STORY

Backbone Youth Arts is a community organisation based in Brisbane on the lands of the Jagera and Turbal people.

We support curious, untamed, and experimental thinkers to challenge ideas and express themselves through many creative art forms.

We champion experimentation, and amplify the sharing of essential stories. 

Embedded in our legacy and future is collaboration, development, presentation of new work, and advocacy for young artists aged 30 and under. Backbone facilitates learning and risk taking, seeding networks, and the creation of new and exciting works. We do this through our year-round programming that includes workshops, performances, residencies,  festivals, events, resource and training programs, and providing space for all of this to happen in.

Established in Brisbane 35 years ago, Backbone has a history of transforming local spaces into community hubs. In 2022, Backbone is taking over Seven Hills Hub, a new space where people can be creative, see shows, and host their own unique events.

All of these things underpin our mission: to cultivate this city and nation’s next generation of artists, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders. Backbone is here for the young artist community, and because of the young artist community, engaging with young artists as self-determined and equal partners, and providing unique development strategies that serve each artist and work.