what is the similarities between dance and visual arts?

Answer 1

It depends on the art-maker, obviously.

Art movements have influences all the genres at some time or another. For example, improvisation can be found in painting, dance, theater and music.

I think one of the best examples of "artistic overlap" is during the time of Ballet Russes with Picasso designing costumes and Eric Satie composing music for a Modern Ballet.

The ideas of Minimalism can be found in painting, writing, theater and dance during the late 50's -- another example of an art trend sweeping through all the arts.