How Shonda Rhimes Got So Successful

“Ms. Rhimes has decided to continue her year of yes. One of her biggest takeaways from the experience was learning to have difficult conversations. She now asks employees to speak up about their problems, and in her personal life, she has become more outspoken about her boundaries, such as not wanting to get married. ‘Across the field of difficult conversation lies serenity,’ she says, because ‘whatever the outcome’s going to be, at least you know.'”

There’s A New, Dark Ballet Series On TV

“The cast members who play dancers are actually dancers. Ms. Walley-Beckett regards the show, a psychological drama about obsession and worship, as the anti-‘Black Swan,’ the Natalie Portman thriller that was the last ballet drama to achieve mass success; it relies on neither the fantastic nor body doubles.”

The British Museum Is Training Iraqi ‘Heritage Professionals’ In Rescue Archaeology

“‘While, at present, the situation on the ground in Iraq prevents direct intervention to protect those ancient sites that are currently held by so-called Islamic State, the scheme will instead plan for the day when the territory is returned to effective and legitimate governmental control,’ the museum wrote in a press release.”

Building – And Sustaining – A Tijuana Art Scene

“La Caja is part of an intriguing wave of independent Tijuana arts organizations — both small and large, established and homegrown — trying to build an artistic legacy in this city just 126 years old. These are galleries and institutions that don’t just show art but are also actively working to educate and help shape a generation of artists and designers.”

Chicago Needs Money. So Where To Get It? Classical Music Of Course!

“In the run-up to the City Council’s budget vote this week, the Progressive Caucus came up with a list of revenue-generating amendments including one intended to add a 9 percent tax to the cost of tickets for two of the city’s major cultural engines—Lyric Opera and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It would be so easy. All the council would have to do is delete a paragraph of the Municipal Code.”