England’s West Midlands Regional Arts Board (RAB) has secured GB£17.4 million in Lottery funding to assist with the construction of a new flagship arts complex for the region. To be known as ‘c/Plex’, the development is a vital component in a GB£200 million regeneration of the town centre of West Bromwich, and will house a gallery, education centre and conference facilities, as well as shops, cafés and restaurants. Jubilee Arts, the complex’s initiator, and prize-winning architects Alsops have been working with local schools, businesses, retailers, residents and community groups over a period of seven years to create plans for the project, according to a report in a recent West Midlands Arts newsletter. Architect Will Alsop commented in the article: ‘This project is one of the most interesting I have worked on. I think it is extremely significant as it is the only cultural project I know which includes the community in such a direct way.’ Further information on West Midlands Arts is available online at: www.west-midlands.arts.org.uk