Alia first connected with the British Council in 2004, when she was awarded a Chevening Scholarship to study in the UK. This experience laid the foundation for her future career as Artistic Director and CEO of Shubbak, an organisation championing the creativity and innovation of Arab artists.
At Shubbak, Alia’s connection with the British Council grew. Alongside Sync Leadership in the UK and Art to Heart in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, we supported her on Shubbak’s Art & Disability initiative. This led to a delegation of disabled artists and leaders taking part in the 2023 edition of Shubbak Festival, the UK’s largest biennial festival of contemporary Arab culture. It was a great showcase for the importance of inclusivity and representation in the arts.
‘This project allowed me to bring my personal experience as a disabled leader into my role at Shubbak,’ Alia says, highlighting how the British Council’s priorities aligned with her vision to uplift disabled artists.
Shubbak’s partnership with the British Council has thrived thanks to the dedication of our team in the Middle East and North Africa, including Amany Abuzeid, Alaa Qattam and Rosa Perez. Alia says their efforts fostered a relationship of trust, respect and collaboration that inspired her and her colleagues.
She was particularly moved by the cultural leaders and artists they worked with, many of whom continue to create under difficult circumstances.
Reflecting on her experience, Alia says: ‘I’ve learned that success isn’t always measurable in numbers and statistics. Impact is intangible and can’t always be put into words. It’s crucial to recognise that success isn’t always framed in measurable terms, yet that framing often dictates how we view our work.’
As Alia and her team look ahead, they remain committed to delivering a meaningful Shubbak Festival in 2025, one that continues to celebrate the diversity of artistic expression from the Arab, Southwest Asian and North African regions with integrity and authenticity.
‘I have a lot of trust in colleague working at the British Council. Working with them feels like a true partnership, not just a funder– recipient relationship.’ Alia Alzougbi, Artistic Director and CEO, Shubbak