---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dance has become an exclusionary…"
description: "\"Dance has become an exclusionary enterprise. To participate, one must be thinner than thin, of pleasing form, flexible, athletic and young. If you are ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/clive-barnes-51837_athletic_dance-has-become-an-exclusionary-enterpr_1332215.jpg"
---

#  Dance has become an exclusionary enterprise. To…

![“Dance has become an exclusionary enterprise. To participate, one must be thinner than thin, of pleasing form, flexible, athletic and young. If you are not all these things, you will be allowed to dance in the privacy of your own living room. You just wouldn't dare to put yourself onstage.” quote by Clive Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/clive-barnes-51837_athletic_dance-has-become-an-exclusionary-enterpr_1332215.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/clive-barnes-51837_athletic_dance-has-become-an-exclusionary-enterpr_1332215.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/clive-barnes-51837_athletic_dance-has-become-an-exclusionary-enterpr_1332215.jpg)

> “Dance has become an exclusionary enterprise. To participate, one must be thinner than thin, of pleasing form, flexible, athletic and young. If you are not all these things, you will be allowed to dance in the privacy of your own living room. You just wouldn't dare to put yourself onstage.”

[Clive Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barnes/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Dance culture often excludes those who don’t fit narrow aesthetic standards, limiting participation.

**In simple terms:** Dance can feel exclusive based on body and age.

Key Takeaway

Advocate inclusive spaces for all dancers.

Themes

inclusion body image artistic expression

Mood

critical empathetic

Type

analytical activist

When to use this quote

- dance studios
- community workshops
- school curricula
- media representation

Key Concepts

social equity cultural criticism

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you support diverse bodies in dance?
- What changes would make dance more welcoming?

A Different Perspective

Exclusivity can be challenged by redefining standards.

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[Allowed Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allowed-dance-4474012/) [Athletic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletic/) [Ballet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dance Exclusionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance-exclusionary-4474014/) [Dance Privacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance-privacy-4474013/) [Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dare/) [Enterprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enterprise/) [Flexible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flexible/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Living room](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living-room/) [Participate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/participate/) [Participate Thinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/participate-thinner-4474015/) [Privacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/privacy/) [Rooms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rooms/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/)

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