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The Chicago Public Library has announced Rae Chardonnay as the 2025 DJ Scholar-in-Residence for the Renaissance Project. This initiative, funded by the Mellon Foundation, aims to enhance access to CPL's archival collections related to Black history. Rae will conduct research at the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection and Special Collections at Harold Washington Library, remixing a new sound based on these materials. The residency includes workshops and listening parties and runs for 12 weeks, concluding on August 4, 2025.
Rae Chardonnay Taylor is an award-winning DJ and cultural programs producer from Chicago's West Side. She uses sound as her primary creative tool and has been involved in various solo and collaborative projects with institutions such as University of Chicago’s CSRPC, Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Art Institute of Chicago. She has performed alongside notable artists like Janelle Monae and Megan Thee Stallion.
Rae is also the founder of Black Eutopia, which focuses on creating spaces for marginalized communities, and co-founder of Party Noire, celebrating joy for Black queer, trans, and gender non-conforming individuals. She holds a bachelor's degree in arts management from Columbia College.
Public events are scheduled throughout June 2025 as part of Rae's residency. These include "Meet the DJ Scholar" events limited to teens at Altgeld on June 30th and Harold Washington Library Center on July 2nd. Additionally, Liberation Listening Parties open to all ages will take place at Woodson on July 12th, Legler on July 19th, and Edgebrook on July 26th.
These programs are supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation through the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
For more information about Renaissance Events, visit the library's website.
