Shannon O'Brien
Founder
The Dance Community is Demanding Better. We Are Answering
Rising Floor Dance Ethics Alliance unites organizers, teachers, DJs, performers, and dancers who are ready to build a safer, fairer, and more respectful dance world. We choose action over excuses, and we invite you to do the same.
Across Latin, Afro, and partner dance communities worldwide, people are asking for more clarity, more consistency, and more accountability. Long-standing issues around safety, power, and fairness are no longer being quietly accepted.
Rising Floor exists because the community is ready to move beyond vague expectations and into something more concrete.
What Rising Floor is:
In the face of growing demands for change, Rising Floor offers a clear and transparent way for organizers, teachers, DJs, performers, and dancers to align with ethical practices, and for dancers to make informed choices about where they dance, learn, and grow.
We develop shared ethical standards that address practical realities such as fair pay, safe environments, professional conduct, transparency, and responsibility in positions of influence. These standards are designed to work across different regions, scenes, and roles within the dance ecosystem.
Our focus is not perfection, but responsibility, transparency, and measurable improvement over time. It is about raising the baseline for how people are treated, so that better practices are visible, accessible, and easier to support.
Our Mission
Rising Floor exists to make ethical expectations clear, shared, and taken seriously.
We believe real change comes from ongoing dialogue, honest self-reflection, and a willingness to look critically at how things are done. Rising Floor is a consultative initiative, shaped by community input and lived experience, and designed to evolve as the dance world does.
We support progress over perfection and substance over performative commitments. By engaging with Rising Floor, individuals and organizations signal a willingness to be part of a healthier, more equitable future for the global dance community.
Our Vision
Our vision is a global dance community where fairness, safety, and respect are standard, not the exception. A world where dancers at every level can learn, grow, and connect without fear of exploitation or abuse, and where ethical practices are visible, accessible, and celebrated.
We stand for equality, including equal pay for equal work, aligning with internationally recognized principles such as those outlined in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Women’s principles for gender equality and fair treatment in the workplace.
Rising Floor is here to amplify collective efforts, not compete. We are proud to collaborate with other organizations and individuals dedicated to making partner dance safer, fairer, and stronger for everyone.
Together, we are raising the floor for all!
The Rising Floor Team
Rikki Archibald
Founder
Blythe Sastron
Festival Liaison & Partnerships Coordinator - Volunteer
Basic Plan
Ideal for individual dancers and small dance groups who are just starting to explore the world of ethical dance practices. This plan provides essential resources and support to help you align with international dance standards.
$5/month
Features Include:
- Access to basic resources
- Monthly newsletters
- Community forum access
- Profile listing on our website
Professional Plan
Perfect for dance teachers and small dance studios looking to enhance their ethical standards and gain recognition. This plan offers advanced tools and resources for professional development.
$20/month
Features Include:
- All Basic Plan features
- Dedicated support
- Advanced workshops
- Certification opportunities
Organization Plan
Designed for large dance schools, festivals, and organizations committed to setting the highest ethical standards. This plan provides comprehensive resources and exclusive benefits for leaders in the dance community.
$50/month
Features Include:
- All Professional Plan features
- Priority support
- Custom training sessions
- Event promotion
- Partnership opportunities
Thinking of Joining the Rising Floor Movement?
We invite you to connect with Rising Floor and be a part of our mission to uphold ethical standards in the global dance community. Whether you are an organizer, teacher, dancer, or any other role in the dance community, we are here to support you in promoting fairness, safety, dignity, and respect in dance.
Reach out to us to learn more about our initiatives and how you can contribute to building a stronger, safer dance culture for everyone.