The interactive gallery at troubled arts centre the Public in West Bromwich was set to open as Museums Journal went to press - more than a year after the venue opened its doors.
Linda Saunders, acting general manager, insisted that the space would be accessible from 29 August. But the gallery as it was originally conceived no longer exists, as the company that ran the interactive space, The Public Gallery Ltd, went into administration this year. Sandwell Metropolitan Council has taken responsibility for the interactive area.
"The interactive experience has been made simpler and more accessible," said Saunders. "It is lower tech than the original vision, but the council had to make hard decisions about the viability of what we inherited."
Plans to charge £6.95 to enter the interactive gallery have been scrapped.
A variety of permanent and temporary exhibits, including interactive works by Blast Theory and Paul Sermon, will be displayed on a ramp which starts on the third floor and winds down to ground level.
"All our decisions have been made in consultation with Arts Council England (ACE) and we believe very strongly that what we have now will be a key element of the building's offer, in terms of learning, conference and community event hire, as well as a creative experience in its own right," said Saunders.
ACE approved a new business plan devised by Sandwell council in July.
The Arts Council subsequently granted a £3m one-off payment to the council on top of the £29.8m already awarded to the project, bringing the total cost of the building to £66m (the original estimate in 2003 was £39m).
The soaring costs prompted a petition on the prime minister's website, signed by 244 people, urging an inquiry into the Public. But the proposal was rejected.
The entire building is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, with Mondays and Tuesdays offering box-office and ground-floor access only.
Linda Saunders, acting general manager, insisted that the space would be accessible from 29 August. But the gallery as it was originally conceived no longer exists, as the company that ran the interactive space, The Public Gallery Ltd, went into administration this year. Sandwell Metropolitan Council has taken responsibility for the interactive area.
"The interactive experience has been made simpler and more accessible," said Saunders. "It is lower tech than the original vision, but the council had to make hard decisions about the viability of what we inherited."
Plans to charge £6.95 to enter the interactive gallery have been scrapped.
A variety of permanent and temporary exhibits, including interactive works by Blast Theory and Paul Sermon, will be displayed on a ramp which starts on the third floor and winds down to ground level.
"All our decisions have been made in consultation with Arts Council England (ACE) and we believe very strongly that what we have now will be a key element of the building's offer, in terms of learning, conference and community event hire, as well as a creative experience in its own right," said Saunders.
ACE approved a new business plan devised by Sandwell council in July.
The Arts Council subsequently granted a £3m one-off payment to the council on top of the £29.8m already awarded to the project, bringing the total cost of the building to £66m (the original estimate in 2003 was £39m).
The soaring costs prompted a petition on the prime minister's website, signed by 244 people, urging an inquiry into the Public. But the proposal was rejected.
The entire building is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, with Mondays and Tuesdays offering box-office and ground-floor access only.
