Dance in Public Space

Author

Rachel CruzanFollow

Date of Graduation

12-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Architecture

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Architecture

Advisor/Mentor

McCown, Ken

Committee Member/Reader

Billig, Noah

Committee Member/Second Reader

Coffman, Jim

Committee Member/Third Reader

Thibeault, Stephanie

Committee Member/Fourth Reader

Wasserman, Judith

Abstract

Dance is a universal cultural phenomenon that provides physical, emotional, and social benefits. Public Space, when well-utilized, provides people with opportunities to meet various needs. In this way, Dance and Public Space have the potential for a mutually beneficial relationship, Public Space providing a way for people to meet certain needs through Dance, while Dance improves the quality of Public Space. This relationship is already in existence worldwide. This paper explores seven case studies globally where Dance occurs in Public Space. Written research is combined with diagrams developed to study key aspects of these spaces. The diagrams study Dance and its effects on the Space, the physical qualities of the Space, and the Social Context of the Space. This provides indications of why the Space is useful for Dance, and how Dance impacts the Space and its users. Ultimately, this study is designed to provide better understanding of the relationship between Dance and Public Space, as well as tools to study this intersection.

Keywords

Dance, Public Space, Planning, Placemaking, Performance

Citation

Cruzan, R. (2021). Dance in Public Space. Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/archuht/46