Visible Music College
General Information
Contact Information
Nonprofit
Visible Music College
Address
200 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone
901 381-3939
Facebook
facebook.com/visiblemc
Twitter
@visiblemc
At A Glance
Year of Incorporation
2000
Former Names
Visible School
Visible School - Music and Worship Arts College
1
Statements & Search Criteria
Mission
Visible Music College trains and equips musicians, technicians, and business professionals in skill and
character for effective service in the music industry and the Church. We are uniquely designed for educational
ministry to creative Christian musical artists, technicians and those who work alongside them.
Background
We began in 2000 with the vision of founder Ken Steorts from the band Skillet, to form a college that gave
young artists and worship leaders a global community perspective and education in music and the arts
surrounding the music industry and church leadership.
Impact
Visible Music College has an impact on young Christian artists for academic, vocational, and spiritual training in
music, music production, and music business. We impact Memphis through our community service and influx of
positive musical content and people, and the world through our sending, missional philosophy.
Needs
Contributions;Grants
CEO/Executive Director Statement
As founder and President, I believe that the uniqueness of vision for Visible Music College has been a highly
impacting source of inspiration and training for young musicians. Practical, intellectual, creative, outwardly
focused, unifying, and spirit-led training for the church's greatest resource - people. Spiritual, professional,
academic.
Board Chair Statement
Visible is truly a one of a kind institution of higher education, combining top notch educators, the love of Christ
and the love of each other to produce a student that will have positive impact to his or her chosen community for
the rest of their lives. The well rounded curriculum and unique learning environment not only prepares them
musically and spiritually, it prepares them practically for the real world.
Areas Of Service
Areas Served
Areas
TN - Shelby County
Serve local Memphis area, students come from all over US and abroad, do tours and music training across US
and in Europe.
Service Categories
Undergraduate Colleges
2
Programs
Programs
Bachelor Degree in Modern Music
Description
Music training for Christian musicians to impact church and mainstream
music industry
Budget
$540,000.00
Long term Success
90 students trained annually to serve churches and impact culture.
Short Term Success
Providing accredited bachelor degree to creative artists who may not be a
fit for a traditional university.
Bachelor Degree in Music Production
Description
Practical, academic degree in audio production, live audio, or worship
media
Budget
$540,000.00
Long term Success
25 students trained annually
Short Term Success
Providing opportunities for production students to work in real music
industry venues like Ardent Records while they're in college.
Bachelor Degree in Music Business
Description
Proven degree in music business as pastoral and integrity training.
Budget
$540,000.00
Long term Success
15 students trained annually in music business
Short Term Success
Provide the opportunity for students to manage and produce music events
and festivals throughout the year.
Madison Line Records
Description
Multi-site non-profit record label practicing artist development, publishing,
audio production, marketing, booking, and merchandising of musical
artists from Visible Music College and the surrounding areas.
Budget
$150,000.00
Long term Success
Multiple successful bands recorded product with radio success, touring
success and publishing success.
Short Term Success
Madison Line recently had students produce a CD of Visible performances
where they were able to provide project assistance, graphic design and
promotion.
3
Visible Community Music School (VCMS)
Description
Affordable, accessible music education for everyone.
Budget
$130,000.00
Long term Success
150 students taught music annually.
Short Term Success
VCMS will be providing summer camp opportunities for underserved
communities in Memphis this year.
4
Board & Governance
Board Chair
Board Chair
Mr. Clay McCormack
Company Affiliation
The Law Office of Clay McCormack
Term
May 2015 to May 2018
Board Members
Name
Affiliation
Status
Jayson Bales
RW Baird
Voting
Paula Beasley
McTaggart and Beasley, PLLC
Voting
Mary Ellen Chase
Community
Voting
Kristian Gluck
Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP
Voting
Sarah Haizlip
Summit Asset Management
Voting
Charlie Lawing
Sound Lab of Memphis
Voting
Dr. Steve Maroda
Maroda and Hopkins Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgery
Voting
Clay McCormack
Law Office of Clay McCormack
Voting
Carey Moore
My Cup of Tea
Voting
Eliot Morris
Artist/Songwriter
Voting
Dave Prince
Living Word Church
Voting
David Sawyer
BMO Harris
Voting
Jimmy Veteto
S.M. Lawrence Comfort Systems
Voting
Board Demographics - Ethnicity
African American/Black
0
Asian American/Pacific Islander
0
Caucasian
13
Hispanic/Latino
0
Native American/American Indian
0
Board Demographics - Gender
Male
9
Female
4
Unspecified
0
Governance
Board Term Lengths
3
Board Term Limits
6
Board Meeting Attendance %
70
5
Written Board Selection Criteria?
Under Development
Written Conflict of Interest Policy?
Yes
Percentage Making Monetary Contributions
100
Number of Full Board Meetings Annually
4
6
Management
Executive Director/CEO
Executive Director
Mr. Ken Steorts
Term Start
Jan 2000
Email
[email protected]
Experience
Dr. Ken Steorts is the founder and president of Visible Music College and founding guitarist of the Grammynominated band Skillet. Ken left Skillet in 1999 to build Visible Music College, an accredited, bachelor degree
granting institution of higher education. Attracting students from 50 states and now more than 20 foreign
countries, Visible Music College trains and equips musicians, technicians and business professionals in skill and
character for service in church ministry and the music industry.
After having spent years leading bands and worship teams, Ken earned a Master of Music in Composition and
BFA in Commercial Music – Recording Technology at the University of Memphis. Ken has toured as a Dove
Award-nominated songwriter/musician, worked in management as well as marketing within the music industry
and received his Doctorate in Sociological Research at Oxford Graduate School.
Ken also directs Madison Line Records, a non-profit record label, which facilitates and supports regional music
groups into the modern church and to the mainstream media through quality recordings, concert promotion,
artist development, and internet marketing. Ken writes and performs with his three-piece modern rock band,
“The Beep”.
Ken is a 2013 Visionary Award winner, presented by the Downtown Memphis Commission.
Staff
Full Time Staff
21
Part Time Staff
4
Volunteers
5
Contractors
10
Retention Rate
0
Plans
Organization has a Fundraising Plan?
Under Development
Organization has a Strategic Plan?
Yes
Years Strategic Plan Considers
1
Date Strategic Plan Adopted
Oct 2015
Organization Policy and Procedures
Yes
Nondiscrimination Policy
Yes
7
Financials
Fiscal Year
July
Fiscal Year
2017
Projected Revenue
$5,601,242.00
Projected Expenses
$37,000,000.00
Endowment Value
0
Percentage (if selected)
0%
Form 990s
From 990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Form 990
Detailed Financials
Revenue and Expenses
Fiscal Year
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
Revenue Sources
Fiscal Year
Foundation and Corporation
Contributions
Government Contributions
Federal
State
Local
Unspecified
Individual Contributions
Indirect Public Support
Earned Revenue
Investment Income, Net of Losses
Membership Dues
Special Events
Revenue In-Kind
Other
2015
$3,990,275
$3,815,482
2014
$3,370,728
$3,369,309
2013
$4,133,765
$3,485,700
2015
$1,377,178
2014
$859,323
2013
$1,811,264
$0
---$0
-$0
$2,418,087
$55
$0
$0
$900,000
$0
$0
---$0
-$0
$2,374,206
$7,696
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
---$0
-$0
$2,167,029
$219
$0
$0
$0
$0
8
Expense Allocation
Fiscal Year
Program Expense
Administration Expense
Fundraising Expense
Payments to Affiliates
Total Revenue/Total Expenses
Program Expense/Total Expenses
Fundraising Expense/Contributed
Revenue
Assets and Liabilities
Fiscal Year
Total Assets
Current Assets
Long-Term Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Total Net Assets
Short Term Solvency
Fiscal Year
Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current
Liabilities
Long Term Solvency
Fiscal Year
Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets
Top Funding Sources
Fiscal Year
Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount
Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar
Amount
Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar
Amount
2015
$2,899,332
$772,544
$143,606
-1.05
76%
10%
2014
$2,448,164
$734,666
$142,027
-1.00
73%
17%
2013
$2,486,216
$813,542
$185,942
-1.19
71%
10%
2015
$7,206,513
$996,569
$4,133,664
$202,999
$2,869,850
2014
$6,279,941
$1,450,715
$3,023,076
$561,808
$2,695,057
2013
$5,476,051
$1,284,347
$2,263,215
$519,198
$2,693,638
2015
4.91
2014
2.58
2013
2.47
2015
57%
2014
48%
2013
41%
2015
---
2014
---
2013
---
--
--
--
Capital Campaign
Goal
$0
State Charitable Solicitaions Permit
Permit?
Exempt 0
Created 06.19.2017.
9
Copyright © 2017