LONDON.- From figures on a beach to a giant white horse, there's been an explosion of public art commissioning in the UK over the last decade, not witnessed since the Victorian era. But the art for our public spaces is chosen by 'experts' and committees. The public rarely has a say in what goes where.

So should the public choose public art? What would happen if they did? And can we even afford public art in a recession?

These are some of the questions that will be explored at The Art Fund's debate at the RSA which coincides with a four-part Channel 4 series Big Art starting on Sunday 10 May at 7pm. The programme follows the successes and setbacks experienced by seven communities across the UK who were given the opportunity to commission public art themselves in a Channel 4 initiative called the Big Art Project.

The Big Art Project is an ambitious public art initiative from Channel 4, supported by Arts Council England, the national development agency for the arts, and independent charity The Art Fund.

Questions from the audience will be taken and a vote will take place at the end of the debate.

Panellists are:
Jonathan Jones, art critic for The Guardian
Munira Mirza, Cultural Adviser to the Mayor of London
Grayson Perry, Turner Prize-winning artist
Andrew Shoben, greyworld.

Wednesday 20 May
7.15pm - drinks
8.05pm - debate begins
RSA, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ