A creative place, inspiring art and changing lives

Sandwell Arts Trust is a registered charity set up to run The Public - an exciting creative, community, cultural and business space in the heart of West Bromwich.

The Public is a place where people who don't normally feel comfortable in arts venues can enjoy themselves, feel welcomed and are confident to experience new things.

In essence, The Public is a creative place, inspiring art and changing lives.

Creative Place
Designed by renowned architect Will Allsop, even our building is a work of art. Our free gallery featuring interactive digital artworks is popular with all ages.

Our unique building and its versatile spaces is a perfect environment to open imaginations and stimulate creative thinking.
The Public offers a unique setting for learners to be involved in pioneering arts projects. Focusing on participation and communication skills we provide the opportunity for young people to develop skills and become creatively involved in both traditional and digital art forms.

"The space, the fluidity of the building and architecture, colours, noise and interaction of the exhibits are wonderful, as are the helpful and knowledgeable staff members."
Customer, April 2010

Inspiring Art
The Public is committed to delivering high quality, innovative and locally relevant arts programming, and provides the platform for emerging artists to display work alongside those with international reputations.

All exhibitions are free entry and attract a local and national audience such as Mnemosyne by John Akomfrah and Martin Parr's Black Country Stories, but always with excellence at their core.

Changing Lives
The Public now offers a place for people to enjoy cultural activities on their doorstep - from live music and comedy to touring theatre and cultural festivals.

"When I first heard of The Public, I thought it was just an art gallery, but now I've been here I know that it is a performance space and much more. It has been a great experience and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here." Work experience student, Holly Lodge High School, Smethwick

Having welcomed more than 110,000 visitors and users in its first full year of operation, The Public is establishing itself as a valuable community resource, as well as a place where visitors can interact with the arts and view artworks of local and national significance.

As a charity, The Public needs investment to support its key priorities so that the doors which have been opened and the new opportunities afforded to the people of West Bromwich and the wider region can continue.

Highlights from The Public:

Free exhibitions
Don't miss your chance to see the amazing exhibitions on display at The Public.

Learning workshops
Every school holiday, The Public has a wide range of fun workshops to inspire children, families and young people to get creative in a stimulating and creative environment.

Live music, comedy and theatre events
If you're a fan of performing arts, The Public is a great venue to enjoy a live show or gig. Throughout the week an exciting array of live bands, from jazz to rock, motown to reggae, top comedians and enthralling plays and theatre delight, excite and amuse our visitors.

Regular events
The Public hosts a number of regular events for all ages from Saturday Art Club, The Public Drawing Society and Tea dancing to Zumba, Jazz and Dine and Acoustic Bites.

For more information about events, exhibitions and workshops at The Public visit www.thepublic.com or call 0121 533 7161.

Usual opening times:
Monday and Tuesday: 10am - 6pm
The café, box office, reception and ground floor will be open - the interactive artworks and galleries are closed for maintenance on these days.

Wednesday - Sunday: 10am - 6pm
The whole building including the galleries and interactive artworks is open on these days and is free entry. Last entry to the galleries and interactive artworks is at 5pm.

During half term and summer holidays
The interactive artworks and galleries are open Monday-Sunday, 10am-6pm, free entry.