Derry dance company Echo Echo has funding review request rejected by Arts Council

Derry dance theatre company Echo Echo has had a funding review request rejected by the Arts Council.

The local arts group had 100% of its annual funding cut by the Arts Council in May.

The company said the declined funding of £112,910 would have contributed to three full-time staff salaries and building overheads at Echo Echo Studios for financial year 2025/26.

Echo Echo today revealed that its appeal to overturn the funding cut has been rejected by the Arts Council.

In a statement on its Facebook page, Echo Echo they were 'extremely disappointed' by the decision.

They also revealed they will be taking their case to the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman.

“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,” the company wrote.

“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 (outside Council offices in Strabane) to show public support for the company. People can find out more by getting in touch with Echo Echo via its website 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.”

Echo Echo thanked everyone who donated to Save Echo Echo campaign and paid tribute to the “small dedicated team of directors, artists and staff who have been working around the clock trying to keep the company alive”.

An Arts Council spokesperson said: “The Arts Council does not make any decisions with regard to Annual Funding Programme Funding Review Requests, though the Council is of course notified of such review outcomes.  

"All such review requests in relation to Annual Funding Programme applications are undertaken by an independent third party reviewer; no ACNI board member or executive staff member determines the review request decision. 

"Echo Echo’s Funding Review Request was considered by and rejected by an independent reviewer.  As advised by ACNI, Echo Echo is now free to bring the matter to the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman if they wish.

"Although rejected from the 2025/26 Annual Funding Programme,  Echo Echo was awarded and accepted a grant of over £28k to assist their transition from the programme.  The group was also encouraged to apply to ACNI’s Project Funding programme which can award grants of up to £75k and is a scheme from which many former Annual Funding Programme clients receive support.  The organisation chose not to apply to the Project Funding scheme.”