Associated artists
As a recognised artist in the creative field who is actively engaged in their work but lacks a dedicated space, the CN D’s associate artist receives financial support for a period of two years, with the aim of enabling them to develop highly specific projects that they are unable to undertake within their existing organisational framework. They naturally enjoy privileged access to rehearsal studios and technical support, as well as privileged access to the media library, professional resources, regular dance training and other training opportunities.
Linda Hayford & Christian Rizzo, associate artists
Linda Hayford and Christian Rizzo are artists-in-residence at CN D in 2025 and 2026. These long-term residencies are designed to be closely intertwined with CN D’s activities and remit. They will enable the realisation of specific projects combining creation, presentation, professional training, outreach initiatives, periods of reflection and the facilitation of a choreographic network.
Over the course of these two years, there will be public events showcasing the works of Linda Hayford and Christian Rizzo, as well as those of other artists who share common interests.
portrait de Linda Hayford
© Jérôme Bonnet
Linda Hayford
As co-director of the FAIR-E / CCN collective in Rennes and Brittany, the dancer and choreographer has been developing her own projects within the Inside Out company since 2015. Her dance, rooted in ‘popping’ and influenced by the world of dance battles, draws on complex movement whilst exploring intimate themes. From one piece to the next – including her trio *Recovering*, created in 2022 – she has developed a distinctive vocabulary known as ‘shifting pop’, a sensory and emotional exploration of the performer’s inner transformations.
portrait de Christian Rizzo
©ICI—CCN / Denise Oliver Fierro
Christian Rizzo
A cross-disciplinary artist, Christian Rizzo is a choreographer, visual artist, fashion designer and musician. In the 1990s, he turned his attention to contemporary dance, initially as a performer. Since then, he has created numerous pieces, performances and installations, whilst also undertaking commissions for opera, fashion and the visual arts. Since 2015, he has been director of the Centre chorégraphique national de Montpellier – Occitanie, now known as ICI (Institut chorégraphique international).