Vans high school based art design contest Custom Culture is back for a third year in 2012. Starting February 1st, art teachers from across the nation can register their school for participation . The first 1,000 U.S.-based high schools that register for Vans Custom Culture according to our official rules will receive four pairs of Vans shoes (Classic Slip-On, Era, Old Skool and 106) to make their own creations. Each shoe must represent one of four themes (Action Sports/Music/Fashion/Local Flavor) and an underlying theme tying the entire collection together.

Design submissions will be accepted in March. After all submissions have been entered, Vans staff will narrow the field to 50, after which the public will vote online to find the top five finalists.

The five finalists will be brought to Los Angeles for an exclusive event in May where a panel of judges will choose a winner. The winning school will be awarded $50k for their art program.



The contest has inspired students at more than 700 participating schools over the past two years with last year's contest culminating in Vans awarding $50,000 toward the art programs at Ward Melville High School (Long Island, NY). Melville was one of five schools that earned trips to New York City as chosen by more than 180,000 online voters. Students at Rio Rancho High School (Rio Rancho, NM) won the grand prize in 2010.

Art teachers from around the U.S. don't waste anytime and get your school involved.