Humble Beginnings

VISIBLE SCHOOL began with a desire to see the next generation of artists trained in music, discipleship, worship and ministry. That desire was planted in President and Founder, Ken Steorts, who was the founding guitarist, songwriter, and road manager of the popular rock band Skillet. Throughout his years of ministry touring with Skillet, Ken saw a large number of young Christian musicians with great character but little skill instruction or with great skill but little spiritual leadership. He envisioned an education center where academic and vocational study of music was combined with character-building discipleship and community. In the winter of 1999, Ken left the ministry of Skillet to start a program that could create qualified, passionate world-changers. He launched VISIBLE SCHOOL. Ken spent the following summer recruiting students at Christian music festivals, promoting a 9-month training program, offering certificates in two emphases: Modern Music Ministry and Media Production Ministry. The 2000-2001 charter class consisted of twenty-one students from all over North America and the United Kingdom. Classes were held at Lifelink Church, in a renovated restaurant on the outskirts of Memphis and students lived in host homes. Seventeen students finished the program, and went on to serve in ministry positions, bands, and internships within the music industry. Students increased in skill, shared hardships and prayers, and a developed a bond that transcended education. That first year proved the need for VISIBLE SCHOOL, making a place for young worship leaders and band visionaries to grow in their skill and calling.

In response to the graduates’ desire to stay involved and receive further training, an informal internship program was created the next year, which led to the addition of the Music Business Ministry program in 2001. Though the Music Business Ministry program was not a part of the original plan, it emerged as an essential component of VISIBLE SCHOOL’s microcosm of the music industry.

The Great Accreditation Process

In 2004 VISIBLE SCHOOL started the pursuet of recognition through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). VISIBLE SCHOOL achieved Candidacy status during the 2005 Fall semester, authorizing the school to grant undergraduate degrees for a probationary period of 5 years. VISIBLE’s 2004-2005 curriculum included all of the requisite general education courses and upper-level courses associated with each of the program areas, and on May 14, 2005 VISIBLE SCHOOL granted its first three Bachelor of Ministry degrees. Throughout the probationary period, VISIBLE SCHOOL worked hard to respond to the recommendations of TRACS in order to gain accreditation and in the fall of 2009, VISIBLE SCHOOL achieved their goal. VISIBLE SCHOOL now offers three accredited programs designed to allow students to complete either a 44-hour certificate in two semesters or a Bachelor degree in six-semesters, with an average course load of 20 semester credit hours.

A New Urban Campus

VISIBLE SCHOOL had always wanted to be closer to the music and arts scene in downtown Memphis, but was confined to the suburban campus due to financial challenges. After 9 years of growth, however, the renovated catfish restaurant proved insufficient for the school’s needs. In the fall of 2008, VISIBLE SCHOOL began a six million dollar capital campaign to move the college and its dormitories into downtown Memphis. Meanwhile, in the fall of 2008, Lifelink Church relocated to Midtown Memphis, allowing Visible School continued use of the Lakeland campus until the property could be sold. In the spring of 2009 VISIBLE SCHOOL secured dormitories in the Edge district of downtown Memphis and in the fall of 2009 the college purchased a historic and iconic building in Downtown Memphis for its education center. During renovation of the new building Lifelink church opened its doors to the college and in the fall of 2009, VISIBLE SCHOOL moved into Lifelink’s Midtown building. VISIBLE SCHOOL plans to be in Midtown for an interim period of two semesters until the new urban campus is ready.

Come Be A Part Of Our Story

Since our first year, VISIBLE SCHOOL has grown and evolved through the magnification of its strengths into a worship and arts college, offering three different Bachelor’s Degrees with a student body 5 times the size of the charter class. For the past decade VISIBLE SCHOOL has been developing artists, technicians, and ministers for long-term, professional, envisioned, and entrepreneurial ministry in artistic endeavor.

We invite you to join our legacy!