A.R.M. Holding launches sixth children’s arts program across UAE schools

A.R.M. Holding has launched the sixth edition of its children’s program across the UAE, bringing a new artist-led workshop into 80 schools for students ages 5 to 17. The initiative aims to keep creativity, critical thinking and human skills central as artificial intelligence reshapes how children learn.

Why it matters: - The program is pushing arts-based learning into mainstream education at a time when artificial intelligence is changing how children acquire skills. - The initiative is designed to build creativity, critical thinking, adaptability and problem-solving, which are increasingly valued in school and work settings. - The program has already reached more than 35,000 children, making it the UAE’s largest cultural education initiative.

What happened: - A.R.M. Holding launched the sixth edition of its children’s program across the UAE through a new workshop project called “Big Foot.” - The project is running in 80 schools across all seven emirates for children ages 5 to 17. - The program started in 2021 in partnership with Art Dubai. - Schools can register through Art Dubai’s website until Sept. 25, 2026, and places are limited.

The details: - Each year, the program commissions a local or international artist or designer to create a workshop for children living in the UAE. - The sixth edition has moved from workshops held only during Art Dubai to a school-based model that reaches more communities nationwide. - The program has also expanded to include workshops adapted for people of determination, dedicated sessions for teachers and a stronger focus on environmental issues, local context and ecology. - The “Big Foot” workshop was created by Lithuanian artist Tomas Daukša, whose work has been shown internationally. - Daukša’s practice combines art, science, reality and fantasy in a playful, research-led approach. - The workshop reimagines Big Foot as a curious traveler arriving in an unfamiliar place. - Children are asked to imagine how Big Foot would respond to its surroundings and to design miniature living spaces that make the creature feel safe and at home. - The workshop is intended to encourage empathy and help children understand other perspectives. - Teachers across the UAE will also take part in online workshops built to give them practical tools they can use directly in classrooms.

Between the lines: - The program reflects a broader effort to treat cultural education as infrastructure, not enrichment. - The UAE’s national innovation strategy lists critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, perseverance and adaptability as target skills for students. - UNESCO’s 2024 Global Framework for Culture and Arts Education calls for stronger roles for culture and the arts in education policy, curricula, programs and teacher training. - The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 report ranks creative thinking fourth among core skills valued by employers and says its importance is expected to grow by 2030. - A.R.M. Holding says the program is intended to build an ecosystem for creative learning that matches the changing education landscape. - Art Dubai says working with practicing artists gives children hands-on experience with creativity and critical thinking and brings that learning into schools where those skills begin to take shape.

What’s next: - The “Big Foot” project runs until Nov. 4, 2026. - A.R.M. Holding plans to continue teacher workshops and expand partnerships with schools. - The broader program is expected to keep scaling its school-based model and its reach across the UAE.

The bottom line: - A.R.M. Holding is using art, not just technology, to prepare children for a future shaped by AI.