Cultural appropriation in dance occurs when someone takes elements from another culture's dance tradition without understanding or respecting its significance, and uses them in their own work without giving proper credit or acknowledging the source.

Cultural appropriation in dance can lead to the loss of traditional dance forms, perpetuate stereotypes and misrepresentations of other cultures, and undermine the cultural identity of the people whose dance is being appropriated.

When working with dance forms from other cultures, dancers should respect the cultural context of the dance, seek permission from the original creators or cultural authorities, and give proper credit and acknowledgment to the source of the dance.

To avoid cultural appropriation, dancers should educate themselves about the cultural context of the dance, collaborate with dancers from the culture whose dance they are using, and give proper credit and acknowledgment to the source of the dance.

Cultural exchange in dance allows dancers to learn from each other and share their knowledge, helps to break down stereotypes and prejudices, and promotes mutual respect and understanding between different cultures.

Dance can be used as a tool for social change and cultural preservation by raising awareness about important social issues, helping to preserve traditional dance forms and cultural heritage, and bringing people together to promote understanding and cooperation.

Akram Khan Company, The Batsheva Dance Company, and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are examples of dance companies or projects that have successfully navigated the ethical issues of cultural appropriation.

The Dance Studies Association, The Society of Dance History Scholars, and The International Council of Traditional Music are resources that dancers can use to learn more about the ethical issues surrounding cultural appropriation.

Dancers can stay informed about current debates and discussions on cultural appropriation in dance by reading academic journals and articles, attending conferences and workshops, and participating in online forums and discussions.

Dance critics and journalists can play a role in addressing the ethical issues of cultural appropriation by raising awareness about the issue and holding dancers accountable, providing a platform for dancers to discuss their work and its cultural context, and helping to educate the public about the importance of respecting cultural diversity in dance.

Dance audiences can contribute to the ethical navigation of cultural appropriation in dance by being informed about the cultural context of the dances they are watching, being respectful of the dancers and their work, and providing feedback to dance companies and organizations about their programming.

Dance educators can teach their students about the ethical issues surrounding cultural appropriation by incorporating discussions about cultural appropriation into their curriculum, providing students with resources to learn more about the issue, and encouraging students to be respectful of other cultures and their dance traditions.

Dance organizations and institutions can create a more inclusive and respectful environment for dancers from diverse cultural backgrounds by providing opportunities for dancers from diverse backgrounds to share their work, creating a safe space for dancers to discuss their experiences with cultural appropriation, and developing policies and procedures to address instances of cultural appropriation.

Dance collaborations between artists from different cultures, dance festivals that showcase diverse dance forms, and dance education programs that teach students about different cultures through dance are all positive examples of how dance can be used to promote cultural understanding and appreciation.

Dance can be used to challenge stereotypes and prejudices about different cultures by creating dances that subvert or challenge stereotypes, using dance to tell stories about the experiences of people from different cultures, and bringing people from different cultures together to create dance works.