EDAM’s Code of Conduct

Last Updated: March 24, 2026

By attending activities at EDAM, you agree to abide by EDAM’s Code of Conduct. Failure to adhere to the Code of Conduct may result in a warning, a removal from an activity, or not being permitted to return to EDAM.

EDAM is dedicated to providing a safer and healthier environment for our community. We do not tolerate harassment or oppressive behaviour. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us make EDAM a welcoming and inclusive space.

If you have questions or concerns regarding EDAM’s Code of Conduct, please email us at: info@edamdance.org

If you would like to file an anonymous incident report, you may do so HERE.

1. Consent:

Consent is an important and ever-evolving aspect of Contact Improvisation. We are currently working on creating a longer document outlining the ways we practice consent at EDAM. Below are our current values and practices for consent at the studio.

Contact Improvisation is a dance form that involves improvisation and physical touch between bodies. When we practice this form, we are training our sensitivity with ourselves and with others. We are also training our own autonomy and choice-making. Because the form involves physical touch, there can sometimes be an assumption that everyone in the room is consenting to physical touch. Remember that consent is a continuous, ongoing practice; it is individual to each dancer and may change moment to moment, day to day. Remember that consent involves navigating physical touch as well as the ways we engage with one another socially. Consent is active. We practice consent to create a safer, healthier, and nourished space for dance practice.

Consent in Contact Improvisation may be expressed non-verbally or verbally:

  1. Examples of non-verbal consent:
    - You may begin a dance by dancing closer to someone. This will allow both you and the other dancer time to acknowledge one another and decide whether or not to come into physical contact.
    - You may make eye contact before beginning a dance. This might allow both you and the other dancer to acknowledge one another before coming into physical touch, and to choose to move into physical touch or not.
    - You may leave a dance at any time. For example, this can include dancing away from someone without any verbal communication, or choosing to invite a brief moment of eye contact, or brief verbal exchange such as a “thank you.”
    - You may choose not to dance with someone for whatever reason, or for no reason at all.
    - You may physically remove someone’s grasp/hook/touch, or you may experience someone removing your grasp/hook/touch to signal a need for a change.
    - It is possible that a moment in a dance might not feel comfortable; however, this does not necessarily mean that the dance needs to end. You may choose to redirect the dance by exploring non-verbal ways of changing the dance in order to move towards a greater sense of comfort. For example, moving in and out of contact to invite more space and freedom into the dancing, or slowing down your own movement to invite your partner to slow down as well.
    → If you are unsure, or if non-verbal consent is unclear, ask for verbal consent.

  2. Examples of verbal consent:
    - You may use your words to express your needs and boundaries, for example: “I am not taking weight on my lower back today.” or “Could we dance slowly please?”
    - If you are in a dance and you don’t like something, you can say: “I don’t like that.” Communicating will allow you to redirect the dance.
    - If you or your partner wishes to leave the dance or an exercise, either may step away by verbally acknowledging your/their choice, for example: “I am going to take a break now.”
    - If you verbally ask for consent and the other person says “I don’t know,” dance from the place that this is a no, giving the individual plenty of space to discover clarity for themself.
    - If you have technical feedback for someone about their dancing or in an exercise, ask for permission before giving them your opinion, for example: “I have some feedback that I’d like to share with you, would you be open to hearing it?” If the other person says no, be respectful of this choice.

2. No Oppressive Behaviours:

Oppressive behaviour, including but not limited to misogyny, racism, body shaming, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any other behaviours or attitudes that contribute to an unsafe or unwelcoming environment will not be tolerated.

4. No Harassment: 

Harassment against other participants, staff or volunteers will not be tolerated. Harassment includes verbal or physical abuse, threats, derogatory remarks, inappropriate jokes, taunts about appearance or beliefs, unwanted attention, intimidation, bullying, or any behaviour that creates an uncomfortable environment for another person.

5. Help Create a Safer and Inclusive Space:

We ask that participants take responsibility for understanding their own privileges and how their actions may impact others. Be mindful of how you take up space, both physically and verbally. Use inclusive and respectful language. Avoid making assumptions about other people’s genders and pronouns. Refrain from making assumptions or judgments based on someone’s appearance. Help us uphold our values around inclusion and mutual respect by maintaining open-mindedness towards others’ cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds. Treat all individuals with kindness and respect.

7. Be Respectful of Staff & Volunteers:

Please treat all staff, including teachers, jam hosts, musicians, studio support workers, volunteers, and administrative staff, with dignity and respect. Remember that EDAM is a workplace, and that EDAM’s staff and volunteers are deserving of a safer, respectful, and inclusive environment.

8. Report Incidents:

If you witness or experience any violations of the Code of Conduct, please report them to EDAM staff or via the anonymous incident report form here. We are committed to addressing concerns promptly and ensuring the safety and well-being of all community members.

EDAM’s Code of Conduct is a living document and we are working to update it in Summer 2026. Our current Code of Conduct is modeled from languaging found in The Birdhouse’s Code of Conduct.