Derby dance venue Déda has announced that with “heavy heart” it is entering into voluntary insolvency.
The charity’s trustees say they hope a solution will be found to save the organisation and avoid closure of its building on Chapel Street in the city’s Cathedral Quarter.
A statement on the company’s web site says this “difficult decision” comes “after enduring significant financial pressures since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic posed extraordinary challenges for cultural organisations worldwide and Déda has not been immune.
“Despite our best efforts to recover, the economic climate has remained challenging. Audience numbers have not rebounded at the pace needed to offset the rising operational costs. This has placed an unsustainable strain on our resources, making it impossible to continue our operations in the current form.”
Déda’s chair Corey Mwamba said, “as with many other arts organisations, Déda is facing considerable financial challenges and the trustees have taken professional insolvency advice. During the insolvency process we will continue to work with our colleagues across the city to hopefully find ways that the arts community can move forward together.”
Déda, an Arts Council England national portfolio organisation, was founded in 1991 and offered a “diverse range of dance classes, performances and community outreach programmes”. It co-produced the city’s annual outdoor festival Derby Festé. The 2024 event did not go ahead because of the ”current cost-of-living crisis and rising overhead costs”.
An Arts Council spokesperson said, “following news of financial and organisational issues at Déda, we have worked closely with the organisation's leadership team to explore all available options.
“Unfortunately, it has become apparent to the board that they must take the difficult decision to enter into voluntary liquidation. We understand how upsetting this will be for their staff as well as audiences, and acknowledge the impact this has on the local community and organisations who use the building.
“We are in conversation with them about appropriate next steps. Arts Council England will work with our partners at Derby City Council to try to ensure the best outcome in this difficult situation.”
The statement adds, “we are immensely proud of the work we have accomplished over the years, fostering a love for dance and providing a platform for artistic expression in Derby. Our commitment to the community and the arts has been unwavering and it is our sincere hope that another cultural organisation in Derby will step forward to continue our dance programme and the good work we have started.”