Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Public is given another handout
The Arts Council is bailing out The Public again, after agreeing a “significant grant” to cover the cost of portraits taken for an exhibition that never happened.
More than 70 dog owners paid £50 a time to have their pets photographed as part of a project run by the now defunct Public Gallery Ltd.
The portraits were to be displayed in the gallery in West Bromwich, and copies sent to the owners as part of the deal. But the company went into administration, and now, after complaints from pet owners, The Public’s main funder, the Arts Council, has issued a grant to administrators Baker Tilly to pay for the pictures to be processed and delivered as promised.
Baker Tilly spokesman Bob Bailey said today: “We have been in contact with the photographer, and the photos are being processed in Canada. We are now looking at the most practical way of getting them to the dog owners.”
Canadian artist Shari Hatt, who took the photographs in December, was also left thousands of pounds out of pocket, when the company running the gallery collapsed last month.
She has been contacted by Baker Tilly who have assured her she will be paid in full.
In total, 72 dog owners paid for portraits of their pets to be shown at the gallery.
See Also:
Most Commented
sport
Play Fantasy Football
Win a manager of the month award, courtesy of prize sponsor Banks's, by signing up today.
lifestyle
Latest dining reviews
Read the latest reviews by the Express & Star's dining out reviewers before you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
DISGRACEFUL
Report abuse
While I am pleased to hear that the people that have paid good money for pet portraits, will receive the product they paid for, and also that Canadian artist Shari Hatt, will also be paid as agreed, it should be remembered that the Arts Council doesn’t have any money!!!!!!
Its like the British Government, it also doesn’t have one penny of its own, what it does have is lots of our money, so in effect what’s happening is that these people are being paid back with their own money.
It should also be remembered that someone at the top got paid a substantial amount of money for organising this fiasco.
I have no doubt that if someone at shop floor level made the slightest mistake they would have been signing on at the job centre the next day, so why during this ongoing saga has nobody been held responsible for pouring £63 million of our money down the drain and sacked?
Jim of Bearwood.
Report abuse
Not seen any heads roll yet. Why?
Report abuse
This is hardly the massive bailout it is made out to be. Sounds more like common decency- making good on a promise to the 70 (probably local) people who paid good money for a service.
As Jim said – the problem here is enormous, publicly funded government agencies (Arts Council) that nobody needs, but cost us an extortionate amount of money.
They are all as broke as the British Govt (who now cannot sell their debt to anyone, so have to print money to spend).
Billions could be saved every year if the UK’s unelected quangos were swept clear. These organisations exist solely to keep people in imaginary jobs.
It looks better for the government, but is of detriment to the country and economy.
Report abuse
YOU COULD NOT MAKE IT UP.DEMOLISH ‘THE PUBLIC’ NOW AND SAVE THE PEOPLE OF SANDWELL FURTHER FINANCIAL LOSS.
THE MONEY SAVED COULD GO TOWARDS THE LOCAL HOSPITAL A REALLY WORTHY CAUSE.
Report abuse
Thousands to take a few photos of some dogs ?! Why didnt they hire a UK photographer to do that anyways. Pathetic.
Report abuse
Nice looking building tho
Report abuse
They should paint the whole building white and attach a big trunk to it.
Report abuse
yeah steve! true :)
from now on please can the E&S refer to it as the “The public white elephant”?
Report abuse