PUBLIC STATEMENT, 4th July 2025

Dear Friends and Colleagues

Late last Friday evening, Echo Echo received news that its Funding Review Request, appealing the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's decision to cut the company's annual funding, was rejected.

We are all extremely disappointed by this news to say the least.

The next stage of the funding review process is via the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman.

Thanks to your generosity and the successful crowdfunding campaign that has raised over £13,000, Echo Echo is in a position to extend the cliff edge of closure from later this month to the end of September 2025. We are very grateful to everyone who donated to and shared the #SaveEchoEcho campaign.

Thank you again to everyone who wrote a letter of support - there is still time to write a letter even at this stage. You can read basic instructions and most of the letters received on our website. Many of our partner organisations in the arts and community sectors are understandably afraid to make any public statements in case their funding will be cut next time.

Echo Echo is working with Derry City and Strabane District Council and looking at various other funding options to continue through the 2025/26 financial year.

In a further effort to get this decision reversed, Derry City and Strabane District Council have invited senior officers of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to attend the DCSDC Business and Culture Committee monthly meeting on Tuesday 8th July at 4pm at Strabane Council Chambers to explain the decision and to answer questions on it. Echo Echo would welcome people to join them at that meeting to show public support for the company. People can find out more by getting in touch with Echo Echo via its website www.echoechodance.com or on social media.

Arts Council NI annual funding was the core funding base upon which Echo Echo has successfully levered many dozens of other grants and partnership funding for over 20 years. Without this ongoing principal support and form of assurance for other funders, and in an exceptionally competitive funding environment, sourcing replacement ongoing support at the level required is a massive challenge - even for a company of Echo Echo's high quality artistic programmes and excellent financial management.

Finally, we would like to pay tribute to our small dedicated team of directors, artists and staff who have been working around the clock trying to keep the company alive.

We will be in touch again soon.

#SaveEchoEcho