Art Dubai & A.R.M. Holding Launch Children’s Art Programme

Launching on April 21st, the fifth edition of the A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme is set to bring the theme of ‘The Future of Water’ to over 6,400 students across 80 schools in the UAE. Running through June 27th, 2025, the initiative combines artistic exploration with environmental reflection, tasking students with visualising their relationship with one of the planet’s most vital resources.

Organised in partnership with Art Dubai, this year’s edition invites students to examine the role of water in everyday life and its broader environmental significance—drawing on both local landscapes and global ecological concerns. Through a series of more than 320 creative workshops, children will explore coral reefs, desert springs, and the shifting cultural and ecological meanings of water in the UAE.

For the first time, the programme will be led by two prominent female creatives—renowned Nigerian artist and poet Peju Alatise and Emirati artist and educator Alia Hussain Lootah. Together, they will guide students through the creation of miniature ecosystems and water-responsive artworks using found materials, transparent vessels, and plexiglass sheets. As students build landscapes and observe how water alters them over time, they’ll also reflect on the fragile balance between humanity and its environment.

“Through the A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme, we empower young minds to discover creativity, nurture cultural understanding, and become thoughtful custodians of their environment and heritage,” A.R.M. Holding CEO H.E. Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi said. “We’re proud to be inspiring tomorrow's innovators. This year marks our fifth edition, and we have exciting plans to further enhance and expand our impact in the future.”

The children’s artworks will be showcased at their schools, transforming the process into a communal experience and encouraging conversation around ecology, sustainability, and creative expression. Participating students will also receive guided access to Art Dubai’s exhibitions, featuring over 400 international artists, broadening their exposure to global artistic practices and museum-quality work.

Alongside the programme, Art Dubai will host a panel discussion featuring Lootah and Alatise in conversation with leading educators, addressing the role of arts education in the region and the long-term social value of community-led creative initiatives.

Since its inception in 2021, the A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme has reached more than 30,000 students, expanding artistic engagement across the UAE’s schools and offering young people a platform to connect cultural learning with environmental awareness. Applications for schools to participate in the 2025 edition remain open until April 30th.