Vilma Jurkute is the Executive Director of Alserkal Initiatives, overseeing Alserkal Avenue, Alserkal Arts Foundation, and Alserkal Advisory. Her professional and academic experience is centered on placemaking and the development of sustainable, community-centric creative economies with both global and regional impact.
Vilma has been instrumental in the evolution and growth of Alserkal and its initiatives. Since joining the organisation in 2012, she led the $20 million expansion of Alserkal Avenue into a 500,000 square foot cultural destination that is now home to over 70 prominent cultural organisations and entrepreneur-led businesses. Under her leadership, Alserkal has grown into a socially responsible and forward-thinking cultural enterprise. She oversees Alserkal’s three primary areas of activity: cultivating a creative economy in Dubai and building a collaborative network of civic-cultural institutions through its renowned cultural district, Alserkal Avenue; providing advisory services to public and private sector entities through Alserkal Advisory; and supporting public artist commissions, residencies, research grants, and educational programs through its non-profit, Alserkal Arts Foundation.
Vilma has been featured in numerous global publications including The Financial Times, CNN’s Great Big Story, Forbes, Arabian Business, The National, Yatzer, and Place Observer. A regular
commentator on cultural districts and sustainable urban development, Vilma has spoken at Art Basel Hong Kong, We Are Museums, New York Times: Art for Tomorrow, Talking Galleries, WRLD City Forum, and Asia Contemporary Art Week (ACAW), among others.