Vans Custom Culture is Back! Registration Starts Feb. 1st
Posted 01/10/2012 10:13:40 by Kelly
On February 1st, Vans Custom Culture registration opens to all U.S.-based high school art programs, accepting the first 1,000 registrant schools into this year’s competition. Schools will be narrowed initially by an internal Vans team and then in later stages by public voting, through the Vans Custom Culture website. The top five schools will showcase their designs at the Vans Custom Culture final event held in Los Angeles in May 2012.
Entering its third year in 2012, Vans Custom Culture has inspired tens of thousands of 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.
Mirroring company ideals of originality and creative expression, Vans believes in the power of art in schools as not only a creative outlet, but also as an important educational component. “Not only are the number of jobs based in creative skills growing, but developing and exercising inherent creativity nurtures traits applicable in nearly any career path,” Vans’ Vice President of Marketing Doug Palladini said. “Vans aims to support art programs and help fight budget cuts that are all too common by inspiring students to embrace their creativity while also educating communities at large about the importance of art in the schools.”
Born out of Vans’ inherent brand culture, Vans Custom Culture encourages students to express their personal creativity through customizing four favorite Vans canvas styles: the Old Skool, 106 Vulcanized, Sk8-Hi and Classic Slip-On. Students are charged with designing each pair of shoes to fit within one of three themes representing the Vans lifestyle including action sports, art and music and then also a fourth theme “local flavor” reflecting regional inspiration.
To further awareness, Vans has created a student and teacher-friendly social media network for the Custom Culture contest, allowing the public and participants to download official applications and rules, interactively engage in the process and stay updated on happenings from the Vans Custom Culture team.
Entering its third year in 2012, Vans Custom Culture has inspired tens of thousands of 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.
Mirroring company ideals of originality and creative expression, Vans believes in the power of art in schools as not only a creative outlet, but also as an important educational component. “Not only are the number of jobs based in creative skills growing, but developing and exercising inherent creativity nurtures traits applicable in nearly any career path,” Vans’ Vice President of Marketing Doug Palladini said. “Vans aims to support art programs and help fight budget cuts that are all too common by inspiring students to embrace their creativity while also educating communities at large about the importance of art in the schools.”
Born out of Vans’ inherent brand culture, Vans Custom Culture encourages students to express their personal creativity through customizing four favorite Vans canvas styles: the Old Skool, 106 Vulcanized, Sk8-Hi and Classic Slip-On. Students are charged with designing each pair of shoes to fit within one of three themes representing the Vans lifestyle including action sports, art and music and then also a fourth theme “local flavor” reflecting regional inspiration.
To further awareness, Vans has created a student and teacher-friendly social media network for the Custom Culture contest, allowing the public and participants to download official applications and rules, interactively engage in the process and stay updated on happenings from the Vans Custom Culture team.