The 2012 Vans Custom Culture Art Competition came to an end with an all expenses paid trip for the five finalist high schools out to Los Angeles to crown a winner. Rio Rancho walked away with both the Grand Prize and the all new Journeys Local Attitude Award meaning a $55,000 total donation to their high school art program.

Students from Rio Rancho High School (Rio Rancho, NM) claimed top prize on Wednesday, May 30, 2011 at the Vans Custom Culture Art & Design Showcase at the Long Beach Museum of Art. Rio Rancho’s four Vans shoe designs were initially chosen from nearly 900 submissions across all 50 states and with the top honor, Rio Rancho High School receives a $50,000 grant towards the school’s art programs.

Vans Custom Culture, the iconic shoe brand's nationwide art contest, wraps up the public voting phase of the program this Thursday, May 3, 2012 at midnight EDT. So cast your votes now to help choose the five schools that will win the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles and participate in the final art showcase and chance to win up to $55,000 towards their high school's art programs.

  Next week, Vans' Custom Culture submission period ends for the 900 high schools that have registered to be a part of the art education-supporting contest for this year.

Vans Custom Culture registration opened to all U.S.-based high school art programs on February 1, accepting the first 1,000 registrant schools into this year’s competition. Vans Custom Culture encourages students to express their personal creativity through customizing four favorite Vans canvas styles: the Authentic, 106 Vulcanized, Sk8-Hi and Classic Slip-On. Registration is open through March 1 so get your schools involved.

Vans needs your help!  If you know high school teachers, staffers, students, janitors—whatever—spread the word to budding young high school artists across the country: Registration is open for Vans Custom Culture 2011 high school art program. More after the jump . . .