S2:E3 Beyond physical infrastructure – Vilma Jurkute in conversation with Adrian Ellis
Guest
Vilma Jurkute
In conversation with
Adrian Ellis
Key Takeaways Contributor
Stephanie Fortunato
In this episode, our host Adrian Ellis speaks with Vilma Jurkute, Executive Director of Alserkal in Dubai. They discuss how Alserkal’s commitment to facilitating open dialogue, mapping geographies of practice, and building a repository of knowledge for future generations have catalysed the development of a cultural ecosystem that goes beyond physical infrastructure. They also chat about the vital role cultural institutions play in social transformation and fostering a sense of place and belonging.
After, Adrian is joined by fellow host Stephanie Fortunato to discuss key takeaways. They reflect on how cultural institutions are the heart of a city’s software for creativity, innovation, and renewal – as illustrated by Alserkal.
Date of Recording
6 January 2022
Date of Publication
17 March 2022
[00:00:00]
[THEME MUSIC]
[00:00:06]
Adrian Ellis: Hello, and welcome to The Three Bells. This podcast is one of a series brought to you by AEA Consulting and The Binnacle Foundation for the Global Cultural Districts Network, in which we explore what's happening around the world on those busy and sometimes congested intersections of cultural and urban life. The series and supporting materials can be found at www.thethreebells.net. And if you like our content, please subscribe and give us a positive review on your podcast listening platform of choice.
I'm Adrian Ellis, Chair of GCDN and I'm thrilled that our guests this week is Vilma Jurkute. Vilma is the Executive Director of Alserkal Avenue in Dubai and has been really the executive leader of Alserkal since, I think around 2011. Is that, is that right, Vilma?
[00:00:58]
Vilma Jurkute: Sounds about right. Almost a decade of my life. (laughs) A bit scary, too.
…
External Links
Alserkal, a socially responsible and forward-thinking arts and culture enterprise based in Dubai.
Alserkal Avenue, administered by Alserkal, is home to over 70 contemporary art galleries, visual and performing arts organisations, designers, home-grown and entrepreneur-led business and community spaces.
Alserkal Arts Foundation, which was formalised in 2019. It is informed by the three pillars of artistic production, scholarship and research.
Alserkal Residency, allows practitioners across different disciplines to reconnect with their practice. It also supports alternative research, scholarship, and practice that produces new forms of knowledge.
Common Room, a centre for cultural practitioners and academic researchers.
Alserkal Advisory, which seeks to help develop cultural production and establish spaces for the region.
Henri Lefebvre was a French philosopher and sociologist, best known for introducing the concepts of the right to the city and the production of social space.
About Our Speakers
Vilma Jurkute is the Executive Director of Alserkal, 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. +
Adrian Ellis is the founder of AEA Consulting (1990) and the Global Cultural Districts Network (2013). He has worked in senior management and as a board member in both museums and the performing arts and as a strategy consultant to leading clients in the cultural, public, and business sectors around the world. +
Stephanie Fortunato has joined GCDN as Director, Special Projects from March 2022. In this role, she is focusing on supporting and developing the network – and overseeing the delivery of projects in partnership with GCDN members. Prior to that, Stephanie had been active in the network since 2017, representing the City of Providence – and more recently as a co-host of The Three Bells. +
