Dance: Sport or Art?

I found this picture and it got me thinking about how when I was growing up, dance was considered an art form and now it's beginning to be considered as a sport. I started thinking about if dance is getting more physical and therefore considered a sport, or if reality TV shows are bringing more attention to the dance life and people are just beginning to realize just how physical it is.

When I was growing up, all of my friends were either hockey or ringette players and as the only dancer, I didn’t get much respect. Dance was viewed as the little frilly thing that people who can’t play “real sports” did after school. I think the reality TV shows that are available now truly shed light on what dance really is. The diversity and physicality are put in the spot light and are gaining attention and respect. Shows like Dancing withthe Stars, Breaking Pointe, All the Right Moves, Dance Moms, America’s BestDance Crew, So You Think You Can Dance and so many more are showing people all the different styles of dance that exist. This is one of my favorite dances of all time, from any season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada or US. I may be a little biased because Mackenzie Green is an old friend who I grew up with, but with a choreographer like Blake McGrath and dancers like Mackenzie Green and Nathalie Heath, prepare for greatness.

Who remembers this Nappy Tabs routine with Twitch and Alex Wong?! Absolutely mind blowing. I don't think you can find anyone who will say that dance isn't physically exerting!  

Like I said, dance is becoming more and more popularized because of reality TV shows, but it is also gaining the attention and respect from other famous celebrities. Check out this video. Anybody remember this? 

So here's my question to you. Is this new found recognition of dance the long over-due appreciation that dancers deserve? Or is it just a fad similar to the modeling shows (America's, Canada's, Britain's and Australia's)?