The short version? Since 2009, although we first met at school as teens who thought we were too cool for each other (see long version below). 

We’re based in Essex but work with clients all over the UK; from deepest Devon to the heart of the City of London. 

The closest term is ‘placemaking’, but we don’t really love that. It describes what we do but doesn’t sit well with us as it takes more than just us to ‘make a place’.

We work across the public, private and third sector. Our clients come from all walks of life, but they have in common their ambition to do something genuinely positive for the people and place they work in.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to any project or strategy, but to make sure our work has a measurable impact on communities and for our clients, we always:

• Listen to communities
• Design something that meets your goals
• Get feedback to make sure it will work
• Create a detailed action plan to make it happen

And if we’re delivering it, then we also:

• Measure it
• Make it actually happen

As ‘Essex girls’ we’ve enjoyed breaking down stereotypes throughout our careers. 

We first met at school but were not the best of buddies in those days; a one-year age gap can be quite the divider to surly teens with very different interests. However, after successful solo careers in the cultural space and a reintroduction by an enthusiastic officer at Havering Council ‘boom’, the magic happened.  

Ideas exploded. Discussions lasting long into the evening occurred. Things Made Public started its journey to the organisation that you see today. 

That was over 10 years ago, and it’s been quite the ride. From delivering street art programmes and multi-venue festivals to managing co-working spaces and developing cultural strategies across the UK, there isn’t much that can phase us now.