Alserkal Initiatives

15 years. 80 of us. 3 powerhouse businesses. 1 mission: to shape and amplify culture in Dubai, the Middle East, and beyond. We close this year reflecting on our journey so far — and dreaming of what’s next. The best is yet to come.

“Collaboration starts from within. At Alserkal, collaboration and community-building transcend every aspect of what we do,” shared Vilma J., Executive Director of Alserkal Initiatives, during Noor Riyadh, adding, “With shared values and trust rooted in long-termism, everything else naturally falls into place.” Moderated by Miguel Blanco-Carrasco, the panel ‘Building Creative Communities Through Collaboration’ brought together cultural heavyweights from the region: Nour Kelani, Managing Director of Christie's Saudi Arabia; Nawaf Alharbi, Director of Strategy & Development at معهد مسك للفنون Misk Art Institute; and Baloo, Chief Creative Officer at MDLBEAST. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting cultural landscape, the discussion unpacked how collaboration sparks fresh ideas, fuels momentum, and lays the groundwork for a dynamic cultural future in the region.

The Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum returns on Dec 10 & 11 to Alserkal Avenue. If you’re an aspiring creative entrepreneur, thinker, or maker, register for this free, two-day event featuring keynotes, workshops, networking, and the return of the Creative Entrepreneurship Competition—where select competitors will have the chance to pitch live, shark tank style, and win their portion of the prize to help bring their visions to life. Register now: https://lnkd.in/dZKKtb3M

“Designed to ignite a cultural movement in Dubai,” says Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on the newly launched Dubai Cultural Grant. Offering AED 180 million in grants over the next 10 years, the programme aims to support and empower creative talent across the UAE, including grassroots initiatives like Quoz Arts Fest by Alserkal. We thank Dubai Culture & Arts Authority for its commitment and bold step in shaping the UAE’s cultural future. https://lnkd.in/eQkxgjbp

Where we choose to be—that is no simple thing. To belong somewhere feels like it should be ours to decide, and yet, how often has that choice been taken from us? In a world heavy with virtual connections, driven by displacement, and life’s re-routed paths, the effort to simply be—physically, wholly—is both precious and rare. This Alserkal Art Week, we honour that preciousness. A research exhibition, ‘Made Present: Biographies of Artworks Defying the Ongoing Nakba’, curated by Faris Shomali and Zaina Zaarour showcases artworks—each a memory-bearer and testament to survival, inviting you to stand with the narratives that defy attempts of erasure. In public spaces, newly commissioned artworks presented by Alserkal Arts Foundation, appear and disappear, urging us to slow down, to observe, and let our surroundings teach us. In this season’s Majlis Talks, curated by Charlotte Ashamu, voices from Africa tell stories of challenging and reshaping agency, claiming it anew. With exhibitions, conversations, workshops, and slow art walks, we gather, paying tribute to the simple, fleeting, yet revolutionary act of being ‘here’. Full programme: https://lnkd.in/ehYvuWyN

We congratulate our founder, Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, who has been honoured with the UAE Order for Culture and Creativity, a recognition of his transformative impact on the arts and culture scene in the UAE. Presented for the first time, this prestigious award was conferred in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court; and His Excellency Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth. The UAE Order for Culture and Creativity, organised by the Ministry of Culture and Youth, represents the highest honour of its kind, celebrating exceptional talents whose artistic and creative contributions have profoundly enriched the UAE’s cultural landscape and strengthened its influence on regional and international stages. We extend our gratitude to Abdelmonem and the Alserkal family, whose vision for Alserkal Initiatives—which comprises Alserkal Avenue, Alserkal Arts Foundation, and Alserkal Advisory—continues to inspire and shape the future of arts and culture in the region.

Alserkal Avenue hosted the World Cities Culture Forum 2024, a first for the Middle East and North Africa, in partnership with Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, welcoming 100 leaders from 40 cities on a united mission: to reimagine cities where culture forms the very foundation of equity, prosperity, and sustainability. Our Executive Director, Vilma J. who served on the Taskforce and led the roundtable “Cultural Districts: Do They Work?”, shared, “We must seek new models for cultural communities and districts, ones that embrace plurality, foster care, and shape spaces where people feel a true sense of belonging.” Now in its fourth edition, this three-day summit was held across three iconic cultural venues: Al Shindagha Museum, the Museum of the Future, and Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s leading cultural district. #WorldCitiesCultureForum

Alserkal Advisory is growing! Join us in shaping the region’s most exciting cultural projects. We have a busy year ahead of us, and we’re in search of dedicated individuals to join our team. There are three dynamic roles we are hiring for that will give you the opportunity to work with exciting clients to deliver experimental and innovative interdisciplinary projects. • Research Associate • Operations Executive • Project Manager If you are passionate about the cultural sector, explore the job profiles in detail and submit your application by the 15th of October: https://lnkd.in/djQxzwkR

Alserkal Initiatives is hiring a Digital Marketing Assistant Manager and a Content & PR Executive to join our expanding team! If you're passionate about art, culture, and creative storytelling, apply via our website: https://lnkd.in/g_Jwx7k

Solidarity isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a constantly renewed lived practice. That was the message at Alserkal Initiatives’ exhibition, curated by Nataša Petrešin-Bachelez, at the 60th Venice Biennale, 100 days ago. Featuring artists from Sudan, Myanmar, Palestine, Ukraine, the Golan Heights, and Iran, the exhibition created a sense of urgency, encouraging audiences to gather, listen, and empathise with those facing global crises, particularly in the Global South. Watch the recap video and witness how art can provoke thought and foster empathy in times of crisis.