Alia Hussain Lootah, a pioneering Emirati artist and educator, has become one of the leading figures in the UAE’s cultural education scene. Since 2021, she has co-led the A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme, an initiative that has already reached over 30,000 children. The programme, launched in 2019, focuses on integrating creativity with environmental awareness, with this year’s theme highlighting “The Future of Water.”
Early Influences and Artistic Journey
Lootah’s relationship with art began in her youth, growing up in the UAE amidst a city in constant transformation. She developed a deep connection to material, pattern, and the stories objects could tell. “Art became my language, and a way to capture moments and reflect on the evolving patterns of our city,” she recalls. Her formal education, however, didn’t resonate with her. “Traditional schooling didn’t speak to me in the way that creating did,” she reflects, emphasising the freedom she found in art compared to rigid academic structures.
A pivotal moment came in 2014 when Lootah joined the Salama bint Hamdan Emerging Artist Fellowship, an experience that deepened her understanding of art in a professional context. This was further reinforced by her journey into motherhood, which reshaped her perspectives on creativity and its role in learning. This led to the opening of Medaf Studio in 2017, a space designed to cultivate artistic expression and serve as a platform for community engagement.
Creativity and Cultural Heritage
Lootah views art not as a luxury but a necessity. She believes that heritage, while providing context, should also be seen as a living, evolving concept. “It’s something we pass down and reinterpret as each generation matures,” she explains. This philosophy shapes both her artistic practice and her teaching. Whether designing workshops or creating art, she aims to weave a continuity of Emirati traditions with a willingness to embrace new ideas.
Her approach in education is subtle but intentional. Children may not always be aware of the historical connections in the exercises they do, but elements of Emirati heritage, such as stories and crafts, are embedded in the activities. This ensures that heritage is not something static, but rather a dynamic force that children can engage with and reshape.
Impact Through Medaf Studio
Lootah’s impact on the community is perhaps most evident through her work at Medaf Studio. Watching both children and adults engage with art in a meaningful way was a defining moment in her career. “Seeing people experience art not just as an activity but as a language of self-expression made me feel I was exactly where I needed to be,” she recalls. This process of creating space for people to connect through creativity also builds confidence, shifts perceptions, and opens new ways of seeing the world.
Her role as both artist and educator feeds into each other, providing constant inspiration. “Teaching and interacting with children regularly inspire my own work,” Lootah says. The openness of young minds reminds her to approach her practice with care and to create space for fresh perspectives. This cycle has become a hallmark of her career, where art and education inform and enrich each other.
The A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme
Since 2021, Lootah has played a significant role in the A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme, which has become a major initiative in shaping the next generation’s understanding of art and environmental issues. The programme’s fifth edition focuses on water, a theme that speaks directly to the UAE’s identity, both culturally and environmentally. Lootah explains, “Water is deeply tied to the UAE’s identity, from our coastlines to our history of pearl diving, and it’s also one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time.”
Through hands-on workshops, children explore water’s transformative power and learn ways to protect it. “It’s about creating tactile, interactive experiences that allow children to feel and see water in new ways, then connecting that to sustainability,” she says. The programme’s reach has now expanded to over 30,000 children, and Lootah highlights one of the most rewarding moments: “When children meet an actual artist in person and realise that this isn’t just a hobby, it can be a career path,” she says. This realisation can spark a shift in their mindset, opening them up to the possibility of a future in art.
Looking Ahead
As the programme continues to grow, Lootah envisions expanding its digital presence to extend its reach across the UAE and beyond. She hopes to embed sustainable art education into the core curriculum, ensuring its lasting legacy. By connecting creativity with environmental stewardship, Lootah believes art can foster empathy and care for the world around us.
Ultimately, Lootah sees her role as twofold: contributing as an artist and nurturing the next generation through education. She believes that sustainability in the UAE’s cultural future relies on the successful integration of both. “The strength of our cultural future depends on how well we connect these two,” she concludes, emphasizing the importance of empowering young people to feel a sense of belonging in the evolving art scene.
