The Public, West Bromwich

The Public (rendered with StudlyCaps as THEpUBLIC on its logo) is a community arts organisation based in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England, and also a large modern building constructed in West Bromwich and intended to accommodate the group.

Arts organisation

The Public was founded in 1974 as Jubilee Arts by Sylvia King, and works with various community art groups on creative projects.

Building

There were a variety of plans and visualisations for the project, most notably from architect Will Alsop around the year 2000, which proposed a glass box on stilts, forming a public square below - in which wheeled pods would "dock" with the base at night, while taking arts projects out into local communities during the day. Such ambitious proposals where later turned into a more conventional building.

Construction commenced in 2004 on a modern building designed to house The Public, which is known by the same name. Built on the site of a former bus station, [ [http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/download/asset/?asset_id=371712] Dead link|date=May 2008] the building is located in the town centre of West Bromwich, between the ring road and the Queens Square shopping centre. Originally known as c/Plex, the scheme was intended to house almost 100,000 square feet of galleries, studios and exhibition spaces, along with a restaurant and cafe.

Budgeted at approximately £32 million, including one of the largest Lottery awards for a capital project by Arts Council England, the development was designed by the architect Will Alsop, and cost approximately £52 million. Comprising a massive oblong building constructed in dark grey and silver metal cladding with irregularly-shaped windows edged in magenta, its appearance has drawn comparisons with a fish tank [ [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,,1805225,00.html What looks like a magenta fish, cost £52m and closed before it opened? | | guardian.co.uk Arts ] ] or a municipal swimming baths.

The development has been highly controversial and has beset by financial difficulties, going into administration before the expected opening date of July 2006, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/4777882.stm BBC NEWS | England | West Midlands | Debts put new arts centre on hold ] ] due to the withholding of a final tranche of £2 million that was due to be contributed by Sandwell Council. Further controversy surrounds plans by The Public Gallery Limited, to introduce a regular entry fee of £6.95 [ [http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/06/02/anger-at-7-fee-to-visit-the-public/ Express & Star Newspaper | Anger at £7 fee to visit The Public ] ] . The building finally opened in June 2008. Although not to paying customers, as it is still not finished, with more money needed for running costs.

It is suggested that a date in October is stated for full opening.

References

External links

* [http://www.thepublic.com THEpUBLIC official website]
* [http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/arts-and-entertainment/the-public/ Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council page]