A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme Launches Fifth Edition on World Creativity and Innovation Day
The A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme has officially launched its fifth edition, kicking off on World Creativity and Innovation Day, April 21, 2025. Celebrated annually by the United Nations, the day honors creativity’s role in shaping inclusive, sustainable development—a vision closely aligned with the mission of this nationwide initiative.
Organised in partnership with Art Dubai, the 2025 edition brings together two acclaimed artists—Peju Alatise, a renowned Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and poet, and Alia Hussain Lootah, an Emirati artist and educator known for her deep focus on cultural storytelling and environmental themes. This marks the programme’s first collaborative artist pairing and a significant step in expanding cross-cultural artistic dialogue in the UAE.
Under the theme The Future of Water, the programme introduces more than 6,400 students across 80 schools to creative explorations around ecosystems, sustainability, and the cultural significance of water. Through over 320 interdisciplinary workshops, students aged 5 to 17 are invited to create living mini-ecosystems and artworks using water-filled plexiglass sheets and found materials. As the water reshapes and distorts their visuals, children reflect on the environmental fragility of the world around them.
For the first time, the initiative also includes a masterclass for educators, equipping teachers with creative tools and adaptable learning methods to integrate arts education more deeply into UAE classrooms. A special panel discussion featuring the artists and regional educators will be held during Art Dubai 2025, opening wider conversations around the long-term value of creativity in education.
In the words of H.E. Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, CEO of A.R.M. Holding:
“Our patronage of the arts goes beyond collecting. This programme reflects our broader mission to empower the next generation of leaders, cultural ambassadors, and creative thinkers who will shape the UAE’s future.”
Artworks created by participating students will be exhibited within their schools, sparking conversations among peers and families and reinforcing the role of art as a catalyst for reflection and connection. Students will also receive guided access to Art Dubai exhibitions, offering a rare opportunity to experience museum-quality international artworks firsthand.
Since launching in 2021, the A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme has reached over 30,000 students, positioning itself as the UAE’s largest children’s cultural initiative. As we look to the future, this edition sets a new benchmark—deepening impact, expanding reach, and championing creativity as a tool for environmental awareness, community building, and lifelong learning.
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