Jeff Poulin

Earlier this summer, you may have read Kristen Engerbretsen’s, Americans for the Arts’ Education Program Manager, blog post about the final event of the 2013-14 Vans Custom Culture program in NYC. It was an exciting, inspiring and high-octane event honoring some of the most innovative shoe designs I have ever seen. Being able to spend time with Vans employees – a company that values the arts as a vital part of education, community and life as told by their Brand Manager in this blog – and the students whom they work with as part of this program, was definitely one for the books!

However, did you know that the Custom Culture program doesn’t end with a big party in NYC?

In fact, Vans Custom Culture has another element which uses the proceeds from the winning shoe design to financially support visual and performing arts programs in K-12 schools across the country! The grantees received their checks earlier this year and many have documented the process of their awesome projects! Since school has ended, we wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the amazing impact that this full-circle program is having in communities across this country and beyond!

Over the next few weeks, we will be posting the blogs from grantees, showing off their work, arts programs and impact on their communities. Stay tuned for more to come each Friday!

Happy reading!