The Ōtepoti Youth Space is a pop-up initiative started by local youth support organisations ranging from Indigenous rangatahi development, mental health support, queer support, and abuse centres. It aims to be a place for rangatahi to be able to exist safely in, talk to youth mentors, and have the option to participate in creative workshops or independent art. It is based at the Community Gallery on 20 Princes Street (just past Night and Day in the Octagon). Opening this Sunday the 8th of May at 2 pm for a Mihi Whakatau and the Art exhibition launch. During the 9th - 21st of May, the space will be open from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm and till 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Excluding Sundays. More info can be found on our socials @otepotiyouthspace.

 
During these two weeks, there will be free optional workshops that will be run by organisations that are centered around youth support. These will be on from 4:30-6:30 pm. Rangatahi can click 'going' on Facebook events or decide to show up on the day to participate. At 6:30 pm on Fridays, there will be open mic nights, and on Saturdays, there will be live youth band performances. 

WORKSHOPS – ŌTEPOTI YOUTH SPACE

Monday-Saturday, 4pm-6pm, FREE

WEEK 1

Monday 9 May: Slam Poetry on the theme of Five Ways to Wellbeing including developing writing skills and with a te ao Māori kaupapa. Presented by Adventure Development.

Tuesday 10 May: Find out about the Mana Rangatahi app and how it supports youth leadership, aspirations and resilience, including creating your own pepeha. Presented by INNOV8HQ.

Wednesday 11 May: Virtual Production Dojo presents the technology and steps to follow to create a digi-human - Digital Game Design.

Thursday 12 May: Multiple activities including creative writing and movement, nature-connected art, and bath bomb making. Presented by Stopping Violence Dunedin.

Friday 13 May: Arts, craft and kai for mindfulness. Presented by the Youth Division of the Dunedin Public Library.

Saturday 14 May: Canvas graffiti stencil lettering for self-care and self-discovery. Presented by Stopping Violence Dunedin.

WEEK 2

Monday 16 May: Join us for a reading of poetry and short fiction. Hear the latest work from the Young Dunedin Writers Association.

Tuesday 17 May: 'Creativitea' a Zine making workshop accompanied by drinking and sharing tea. Presented by Ōtepoti Collective Against Sexual Abuse.

Wednesday 18 May: Fun Creatures: make your own colourful mini-sculptures using air-dry clay and paint. Presented by Artsenta.

Thursday 19 May: Hip hop and drumming session with Te Hou Ora Whānau and Le Apatonga Performing Arts.

Friday 20 May: Rainbow Youth Q & A and whakawhanaungatanga session, & Volunteer South clinic about youth volunteering in Ōtepoti.

Saturday 21 May: Māori Rock Art drawing with Te Hou Ora Whanau Services.