The Public is a multi-purpose venue and art gallery in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England, at the forefront of a regional regeneration programme which – by late 2012 – will also bring Europe's biggest Tesco, a multiplex cinema, restaurants and a new retail centre.
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The project grew out of the work by Jubilee Arts (founded 1974) by Sylvia King, whose mission was to enhance the lives of the local community through artistic programmes and endeavours. One aim of this group was to create a building which would serve as a permanent piece of art, be visually and structurally challenging and provide a place for community groups to gather to carry on the vision of Jubilee Arts.
Renowned British architect Will Alsop was selected to design the building with construction beginning in 2004. Running over budget and with a number of organisations supporting the project going into liquidation and administration, The Public finally opened to visitors in 2008 (chiefly the ground floor), with construction of the ramp and digital artworks being completed in 2009. The building was finally completed in 2010 with the opening of its Level 2 Conference Suite and finalisation of office space on Level 4.
The building is now operated and run by Sandwell Trust (established August 2009) and features exhibition space, interactive art works, cafe bar, theatre, conference and meeting rooms and office space.
By August 2011 (the second anniversary of its two-year opening), Sandwell Arts Trust have indicated that around 250,000 visitors will have been through the building's pink doors.
Its construction stage and early history were beset by many problems. The development had been highly controversial and encountered financial difficulties, going into administration before the expected opening date of July 2006,[1] due to the withholding of a final tranche of £2 million that was due to be contributed by Sandwell Council. Further controversy surrounded plans by The Public Gallery Limited to introduce a regular entry fee of £6.95.[2] 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 in order to allow it to open in 2008–2009.
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.
Despite the controversy surrounding this project, it has been commended for its “exciting & vibrant lighting scheme”.[3] 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.″[4] “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" ″[5]
Following all its problems, The Public has become an icon of the region and draws in visitors from the local area as well the Midlands and beyond. It is still reliant on public-subsidy but also gains income from hires, tenants and events. The Public has put on work such as Mnemosyne by John Akorfam and Bill Viola's Fall Into Paradise and is a favourite venue for Martin Parr. It has had a science fiction exhibition featuring work from BBC TV's Doctor Who and the Star Wars films as well as an exhibition dedicated to football during the 2010 World Cup.
The Public also holds regular comedy, music and theatre performances as well larger community events and festivals for the borough of Sandwell.