As a dance educator and teaching artist, creating a safe space for learning has long been a topic of interest and top priority in coaching and classes in studios, colleges, universities, and schools.
Recently my interest has been reignited by working in a context similar to where I myself have experienced feeling unsafe, bullied, at risk: middle school.
I’ve been giving elective classes in dance, yoga, and well-being (the opportunity due to the coordinator being an adult ballet student of mine), and along with those electives assist with the Chill Room / Safe Space room during the lunch break. This is a different country and context from that where I grew up in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, but many of the issues are the same: racism, discrimination, ignorance, bullying.
Having previously become familiar with the concept of Safer Space codes of conduct in the context of LGBTQIA2S+ queer nightlife, parties, dances, and demonstrations, the same tenets are true for a variety of social and educational contexts.
Unfortunately its all too easy to see the parallels between middle school meanness and wannabe tyrannical rulers and thugs playing on the international stage. With intersectional diverse individuals feeling increasingly unsafe in current society and human rights under threat, Mental Health Day and Coming Out Day being celebrated in October, it is timely to consider how we can work together to generate loving, supportive spaces for all.
Safer Spaces Research
Here I’m sharing research in progress which I will be bringing to my professional practice, in the form of notes in my seasonal Bullet Journal:
Safe(r) Spaces Defined
Wikipedia defines the term Safe Space in this way:
“The term safe space refers to places “intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations”, according to Merriam-Webster.[2]
It is a place where marginalized groups can discuss issues pertinent to them without having to address questions or remarks that might be directed at them from majority groups in society who are not familiar with certain issues. The term originated in LGBTQ culture,[3] but has since expanded to include any place where a marginalized minority (e.g., gender, racial, religious, ethnic) can come together to communicate regarding their shared experiences.
Safe spaces are most commonly located on university campuses in the western world,[4] but also are at workplaces, as in the case of Nokia.[5]
The terms safe space (or safe-space), safer space, and positive space may also indicate that a teacher, educational institution or student body does not tolerate violence, harassment, or hate speech, thereby creating a safe place for marginalized people.[6]“
Safe Space Sources
In my notebook I’ve listed a few of the resources I’ve found helpful so far, and I know this is only the tip of the iceberg of knowledge:
- SafetheDance.de has many helpful tools in both English and German, such as creating a digital code of conduct, 3 tenets of Safer Spaces, and the 7Ds of Bystander Intervention guidelines
- Initiatives of Change has 10 tips for creating safer spaces gleaned from trustbuilding work
- The Dance Psychologist, who believes that Dancers don’t need thicker skin, they need safer spaces
- Inclusivity Activist milibelledance believes in the influence of dance teachers and importance of Safety in dance studios
- Divers Magazin (German)
- Goethe-Institut (German)
- Für Junge Menschen / Kinder (German: video about safer spaces for young people)
Codes of Conduct
Safethedance.de presents three key elements that such spaces share:
- Consent (only “yes” means yes)
- Power of Definition (respecting others’ identities and boundaries)
- Solidarity (take care of each other)
These are well-aligned with my basic rules of any (usually dance) class to be safe/careful, be respectful (of self, others, space), and have fun. Without safety and respect, there is little enjoyment or learning!
I can see how empowering it can be for a community to develop their own individual code of conduct together, to further flesh out how we can be excellent to one another.
Safer Space Next Steps
My next steps are to continue to define my own boundaries, develop codes of conduct along with the communities of which I am a part, and respect others’ diverse identities, perspectives and identities.
The learning continues and I hope you’ll share your knowledge of Safer Spaces at work in community groups, schools, dance and performing arts, higher education, professional life and beyond.
Questions for Reflection
- In which spaces, settings, and contexts do you feel safe? Where not?
- Where and with whom have you felt loved, accepted, encouraged, empowered?
- Which spaces, settings, and contexts feel safe to you? Which not?
- How can we create safer spaces for learning, growth, and creativity?
- In what ways can bystanders and community members help folks in danger?
- What are you learning?
Resources for Further Exploration
- Philosophy for Children in a Dance Context – p4c teaching applications to performing arts education
- Happy PRIDE Month! Celebrating Diversity, Identity & Justice – Leaping Out of the Closet (again and again)
- Emancipatory Dance – Dancing Intersectional Feminism
- Fine Feedback Workshop – How to Give & Receive Constructive Criticism & Promote Dance in the Process
- Bullet Journaling for Order and Inspiration
The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing about as well as my favorite work from other creators is to subscribe to my email newsletter. Would love to be connected to you there, on social media, online or in-person.
Thanks for reading and moving together in spirit or in fact. Take care of yourself, pay attention, and hope to see you again.
Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst
they/them or she/her
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
helping multi-passionate creatives dance through their difficulties,
taking leaps of faith into fulfillment through coaching, yoga & dance education