Vans presents the 2012 Custom Culture program, where art students across the country compete to win money for their art program and a trip to LA by customizing four pairs of Vans shoes. High School art teachers are asked to register their art program for participation beginning February 1st at http://www.vans.com/customculture. Hurry, only the first 1,000 registered schools are eligible to participate! Check out http://www.facebook.com/vanscustomculture for more information. About Custom Culture: Vans Custom Culture inspires high school students across the United States to embrace their creativity and draw attention to the importance of art as an integral part of our school's focus in the face of shrinking budgets. Entering its third year in 2012, Vans will build on the nearly 400 schools from all 50 states that participated last year when Long Island's Ward Melville High School claimed the $50,000 first prize for their truly unique interpretations of Vans shoe designs. This year, the first 1,000 U.S.-based high schools that register according to the 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. Photo submissions are made on-line via the Vans Custom Culture website and global voting whittles the entries down to the "Final Five" who will travel to Los Angeles for the Vans Custom Culture Art Showcase event.