The Public, West Bromwich: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmyBritish datesEnglish|date=SeptemberFebruary 20132023}}

[[ImageFile:The Public Building.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Public Building]]

'''The Public''' was a multi-purpose venue and art gallery in [[West Bromwich]], West Midlands, England, at the forefront of a regional regeneration programme which was – by late 2013– to also bring Europe's biggest Tesco, a multiplex cinema, restaurants and a new retail centre.<ref>http{{cite news|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013/05/04/ex-bullring-boss-in-new-role-at-west-bromwich-new-square-development/|title=Ex-Bullring boss in new role at West Bromwich New Square development|newspaper=Express and Star|date=4 May 2013|accessdate=21 September 2020}}</ref><ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013/02/26/exhibition-to-show-off-200m-west-bromwich-development/|title=Exhibition to show off £200m West Bromwich development|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="expressandstar.com">http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2012/03/02/200m-vision-of-west-bromwichs-future/|title=£200m vision of West Bromwich's future|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref> It closed in November 2013.<ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-23633781|title=£72m gallery closes after five years|date=9 August 2013|publisher=|accessdate=16 May 2018|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> The building reopened as part of [[Sandwell College]] in October 2014.

Despite indications that the arts centre would be at the forefront of West Bromwich's 'Golden Future',<ref>http://www. name="expressandstar.com"/news/2012/03/02/200m-vision-of-west-bromwichs-future/</ref> on 9 May 2013 it was announced that [[Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council]] werewas in discussion with [[Sandwell College]] to potentially lease The Public for use as a sixth-form college. TheAt that time, the College's own sixth-form iswas oversubscribed with six applicants for every place.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/investors-public-west-brom-could-3871460|title=Investors in The Public could be set to sue|first=Bob|last=Haywood|date=19 May 2013|publisher=|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref><ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013/05/23/balloons-launched-to-fight-plan-for-public/|title=Balloons launched to fight plan for Public|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref><ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.guardiantheguardian.co.ukcom/commentisfree/2013/may/22/culture-commodity-sell-off-temples|title=When culture is treated as commodity, no wonder its temples are sold off - Owen Hatherley|first=Owen|last=Hatherley|date=22 May 2013|website=The Guardian|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref>

In 2012–13 there were 380,000 visitors to the building from all sectionssecti ons of society – an increase of over 40% from the previous year.<ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013/02/26/number-of-visitors-soars-at-the-public/|title=Number of visitors soars at The Public|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref><ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2012/09/24/the-public-arts-centre-triples-visitors-over-three-years/|title=The Public arts centre triples visitors over three years|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref> The Public's mission iswas to be a place where people comecame to create and make things for themselves and to enjoy other people's creativity – an echo of Cedric Price's concept of a Fun Palace.<ref>{{Cite book |last=de Graaf |first=Reinier |title=Architect, verb |publisher=Verso |year=2023 |pages=21}}</ref> In 2012, ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s Robert Clark described The Public as "a playground for adults" and adding that "maybe that's a not a badgood role for moderna contemporary art galleriesgallery to embrace".<ref name="guardian-">http{{cite news | url = https://www.guardiantheguardian.co.ukcom/artanddesign/2012/jun/02/this-weeks-new-exhibitions | date = 2 June 2012 | accessdate = 5 July 2017 | first1 = Robert | last1 = Clark | first2 = Skye | last2 = Sherwin | newspaper = [[The Guardian]] | location = London | title = This week's new exhibitions}}</ref>

It iswas also home to 27 small companies as well as the Sandwell Arts Trust, who managemanaged the building. Between them they employemployed around 120 people with a further 120 digital media apprentices.<ref name="expressandstar.com1">http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2013/05/17/emin-and-creed-works-at-public/|title=Tracy Emin and Martin Creed works at The Public, West Bromwich|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref>

An article in the previously critical ''Express and Star'' in September 2012 demonstratedsaid that The Public was finally winning local people over and, had found its purpose, and belied remote odds to become one of the region's success stories.<ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2012/09/26/how-the-public-is-winning-people-over/|title=How The Public is winning people over|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref> andJust thatover thea oddsyear later on 23 November 2013, The Public closed for good.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/news-opinion/joe-holyoaks-opinion-public-west-6480838|title=Why this public ‘box of itdelights’ havingneeds becometo onekeep some of theits region'smeaning|first=Joe|last=Holyoak|date=9 successJanuary stories2014|publisher=|accessdate=16 hadMay been2018}}</ref> quiteThe remotebuilding inwas theformally recentreopened pastas a [[sixth form college]] by [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Edward]], [[Earl of Wessex]] on 1 October 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-01 |title=Earl of Wessex opens new West Bromwich sixth form college |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/editors-picks/2014/10/01/earl-of-wessex-opens-new-west-bromwich-sixth-form-college/ |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=www.expressandstar.com |language=en}}</ref>

The building is nowwas operated and run by Sandwell Arts Trust (established August 2009) and featuresfeatured exhibition space, interactive art works, cafe bar, theatre, conference and meeting rooms and office space.

By end of June 2013, Sandwell Arts Trust have indicated that 1,000,000 visitors will havehad been through the doors.

== TodayArts Centre ==

FollowingDespite all its problems, The Public has becomebecame an icon of the region and drawsdrew in visitors from the local area as well the Midlands and beyond.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} It iswas still reliant on public-subsidy but also gainsgained income from hires,<ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2010/07/03/the-public-making-money-as-a-conference-venue/,|title=The Public making money as a conference venue|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref> tenants and events, and is planningplanned to increase earned income asonce the building work that hashad surrounded it iswas completed in summer 2013.

The visual arts programme is successfully attractingattracted work by some of the bestnotable contemporary artists and showing, alongside work by local artists. This approach ishelped successfully raisingraise the profile of art in an area where participation hashad been low. SummerIn summer 2013 ''Ordinary/Extra/Ordinary,''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/local/10410538.New_Black_Country_exhibition_to_showcase_international_artists__work/?ref=nt|title=New Black Country exhibition to showcase international artists' work|website=Halesowen News|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref> cruratedcurated by [[David Thorpe (artist)|David Thorp]] iswas the main show, bringing together work by [[Tracey Emin]], [[David Shrigley]], [[Jeremy Deller]] among others as well as a new commission from Birmingham artist [[Lucy MclauchlanMcLauchlan]]. Later in the summer, the Annual Summer Open willwas celebratedue to show local talent.<ref>http://www. name="expressandstar.comcom1"/entertainment/2013/05/17/emin-and-creed-works-at-public/</ref>

Previous exhibitions have included ''The Art of Motion'' featuringwith work by [[Maurice Broomfield]], a collaboration with other local art organisations and schools celebrating the work of local popular author [[Janet and Allan Ahlberg]]<ref name="expressandstar.com2">http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2011/07/09/allan-ahlberg-exhibition-at-the-public-west-bromwich/|title=Allan Ahlberg exhibition at The Public, West Bromwich|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref> and contributions from well -known artists including photographer [[Martin Parr]].<ref>http://www. name="expressandstar.comcom2"/entertainment/2011/07/09/allan-ahlberg-exhibition-at-the-public-west-bromwich/</ref>

The Public was home to an eclectic programme of events with comedy shows from established names like [[Al Murray]], [[Jenny Eclair]], and [[Alexei Sayle]],<ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2012/10/18/review-alexei-sayle-at-the-public-in-west-bromwich/|title=Review: Alexei Sayle at The Public in West Bromwich|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref> music featuring up and coming bands as well as a wide range of activities from tea dancing to knitting that arewere led by local people.<ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/weekend/2013/05/21/here-i-was-greeted-by-a-sea-of-faces-all-mine/|title=John Challis: Here I was greeted by a sea of faces - all mine|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref><ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013/02/15/artist-goldie-is-inspiration-for-martins-gallery-display/|title=Artist Goldie is inspiration for Martin's gallery display|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 May 2018}}</ref><ref>http{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/04/30/across-the-region-how-we-celebrated-the-royal-wedding/</ref>It should be stated that|title=Across the sectionregion heading- ofhow "Today"we bears allcelebrated the hallmarksRoyal ofWedding|website=www.expressandstar.com|accessdate=16 aMay press release from the venue itself, and in fact, today, the venue no longer exists as an arts centre.2018}}</ref>

ItsThe construction stage and early history of the building were beset by many problems. The development had been highly controversial and encountered financial difficulties, going into [[Administration (insolvency)|administration]] before the expected opening date of July 2006, due to the withholding of a final tranche of £2 million that was due to be contributed by [[Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} Further controversy surrounded plans by The Public Gallery Limited to introduce a regular entry fee of £6.95. . These plans were scrapped and The Arts Council agreed to a further £3 million grant, allowing The Public to grant free entry to the gallery to allow it to open in 2008–2009.

In November 2004 Alsop Architects left the project and architect Julian Flannery of [http://www.fdlp.co.uk Flannery & de la Pole] took responsibility for the detailed design of the building interiors and for overseeing construction, which at that stage was around one third complete. In the summer of 2006 the practice developed a new brief and completion strategy for the project and several areas of the building, such as the Theatre, the Pink Tank Cafe and the Level 2 Flexible Space were fully redesigned.

Following the issue and problems, [[Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council]] took over the building in 2009 and established the organisation Sandwell Arts Trust (a subsidiary of Sandwell Leisure Trust) to run and operate the building under license.

[[ImageFile:The Public north.JPG|thumb|The Public, viewed from the north]]

[[ImageFile:The Public north west.JPG|thumb|View from the north west]]

[[ImageFile:Scribble.jpg|thumb|The Scribble]]

[[ImageFile:PinkTank.jpg|thumb|Pink Tank]]

Despite the controversy surrounding thisThe project, it has been commended for its "exciting &and vibrant lighting scheme”scheme".<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://www.lightingawards.com/09WinnerPublicBuilding.asp |title=Lighting Design Awards official website]|accessdate=16 May 2018|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328132912/http://www.lightingawards.com/09WinnerPublicBuilding.asp|archivedate=28 March 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Kevan Shaw lighting Design won the ''Lighting Design Awards'' in the ''Public Buildings'' Category on 12 March 2009. KSLD stated that "The lighting is designed to be an integral part of the experience of the building. Both colour and dynamics are employed to create a remarkable series of events within the multiform interior.″"<ref>Sharp. E. [http://kevan-shaw.com/ KSLD] press release March 2009</ref> "The Public features specific treatments that range from the visual excitement of pink neon scrawled across the ceiling to the simple fluorescent fittings which are programmed to follow the flow of people and features in the "1001 Buildings to See Before You Die List" ″<ref>[{{cite web|url=http://www.ledsmagazine.com/news/6/3/12|title=Lighting ''LEDSDesign MAGAZINE'',Award industrywinners newsinclude LED projects, 18products|website=www.ledsmagazine.com|accessdate=16 MarchMay 2009]2018}}</ref>

*[http://{{Official website|www.thepublic.com THE PUBLIC official website]}}

*[https://archive.today/20121223165332/http://www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/arts-and-entertainment/the-public/ Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council page for The Public]

[[Category:VisitorTourist attractions in the West Midlands (county)]]