Chicago Public Library is thrilled to announce the 2025 DJ Scholar-in-Residence for the Renaissance Project, Rae Chardonnay. The Renaissance Project is an initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation to increase accessibility of CPL’s archival collections related to Black history. Rae will be conducting research at the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection at Woodson Regional and Special Collections at Harold Washington Library, to remix a new sound based on its archival materials and host workshops and listening parties as part of the residency. The residency is for 12 weeks and ends on August 4, 2025.
Rae Chardonnay Taylor is an award-winning DJ, non-disciplinary artist and cultural programs producer from the West side of Chicago. Using sound as the primary creative tool of expression and reimagination, Rae has worked extensively as a leader and participant in several solo and collaborative curatorial activations with University of Chicago’s CSRPC, South Side Home Movie Project, Museum of Contemporary Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, Arts Alliance of Illinois, Threewalls, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, The Chicago House Music Festival, Apple and more. She has opened for legendary talents such as Janelle Monae, Megan Thee Stallion, DJ Mike Dunn, Ron Carroll, DJ Spinna, Just Blaze, Cece Peniston and DJ Heather to be named.
She is the recipient of several artistic residencies and grants and has been featured across a variety of publications highlighting her work. She is the Founder of Black Eutopia, a series of segmented programming intended to cultivate space for marginalized communities; and co-founder of the award-winning Party Noire where joy for Black queer, trans and gender non-conforming people is centered. As a space maker, Rae is committed to engaging communities which exist and intersect in the margins to dream of and build the liberated worlds we want to live in. Rae received a bachelor's in arts management from Columbia College.
Public Events
As part of the residency, an exciting lineup of public programs is set to launch in June 2025 inviting everyone to dive in, connect, and be inspired.
Our Meet the DJ Scholar events at Altgeld and Harold Washington are limited to teen audiences.
Altgeld – Teen Space – June 30th at 4 pm
Harold Washington Library Center – YouMedia – July 2nd at 3 pm
Everyone in the Chicagoland area is invited to join the celebration at our lively Liberation Listening Parties happening at Woodson, Legler, and Edgebrook. Open to all ages, these festive events will feature great music, food, rich history, and a special live DJ set inspired by their own creative journey. Don't miss them!
These programs are made possible with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to the Chicago Public Library Foundation. For more Renaissance Events, please check out our website.