Since 2012, Americans for the Arts has partnered with Vans on Custom Culture, a national high school competition using blank Vans shoes to be customized around specific themes. Now in its seventh year, the competition continues to inspire and empower creativity, showing high school students how creativity can be their strongest asset as they grow and that artistic careers are viable.

 

Earlier this week, Vans proudly welcomed John P. Stevens High School from Edison, N.J to the ranks of winners of the design competition. As the grand-prize winner, John P. Stevens High School was awarded a donation of $50,000 for the school's arts education programs to help foster the students' #RightToArt and support the next generation of creative individuals. In addition to the grand prize, Vans donated an additional $50,000 to Americans for the Arts.

 

Since the inaugural competition in 2010, more than 10 percent of high schools nationally have participated in Vans Custom Culture and more than $600,000 has been contributed to support arts programs. Nearly 3,000 high schools registered for this year's competition, designing four pairs of blank Vans based on four themes: Action Sports, Art, Music, and Local Flavor. One of the designs from John P. Stevens High School has the opportunity to be produced and sold in select Vans retail stores, as well as online at Vans.com.

 

On June 2, Vans and Americans for the Arts were honored with a Gold Cause Marketing Halo Award in the Best Education Campaign Category at the 14th Annual Cause Marketing Forum Conference in Chicago. A total of 20 awards were given out to programs judged to be the best at doing well by doing good in 2015.

 

“Gone are the days when adding a charitable angle to a consumer- or employee-facing initiative was new and novel,” said Cause Marketing Forum President David Hessekiel. “Vans Custom Culture is being recognized for going beyond the basics to offer a unique partnership able to draw attention and engagement.”

 

Kristen Engebretsen's speech at the Vans Custom Culture gala earlier this week can be read here. More information is available in the press releases for Vans Custom Culture and the Cause Marketing Halo Awards.