Founded on December 7, 2007, the Artists Recording Collective (ARC) will celebrate its 19th anniversary in 2026 as a pioneer in the music industry.
The label, started by Christopher Burnett, Erica Lindsay, and Sumi Tonooka with a single-release project, has become an internationally recognized brand based on an artist-first collective model.
ARC Brand Identity
As the Artists Recording Collective (ARC) approaches its 19th anniversary in 2026, its “New Concept” model remains a distinctive alternative to traditional music industry standards.
Key aspects that define its unique approach include:
- Zero-Commission Policy: Unlike traditional labels, ARC does not take compensation from admitted artists, nor does it claim a share of profits from commercial recordings.
- Artist Ownership and Autonomy: Artists retain complete control over all aspects of their business, operating in a “safe” environment without creative restraint or traditional corporate filters.
- Nonprofit Program: ARC is a program of Kansas City Area Youth Jazz Inc, a 501(c)(3) public charity, focusing on providing a professional platform rather than maximizing corporate revenue.
- A “Scholarly” Brand Identity: The collective positions itself as a home for both artistic and scholarly audio publishers, bridging the gap between professional performance and academic documentation.
Direct Industry Tools
As a GS1 Partner Company, ARC provides members with unique GS1 identifiers and UPC barcodes, giving independent artists the same distribution infrastructure as major labels.
Historical Preservation
The entire ARC catalog is archived by the Kansas Historical Society to ensure the long-term preservation of its members’ works for posterity.
Selective Peer-Led Membership
ARC does not accept unsolicited materials; instead, it operates as a curated professional brand for record producers and boutique labels.
ARC Business Structure
As the Artists Recording Collective (ARC) enters its 19th year in 2026, its nonprofit status as a program of the Kansas City Area Youth Jazz Inc. public charity provides unique structural benefits for its roster.
These structural benefits include:
- Removal of Commercial Recoupment Barriers: Because ARC is not a for-profit entity, it is not dependent on music sales to recoup corporate investments. This allows artists to release projects that may have high artistic value but lower mass-market commercial potential without the pressure of “breaking even” for a label.
- Access to Nonprofit Infrastructure: Artists gain “plug-and-play” access to full-charge nonprofit management support, bypassing the significant financial and knowledge barriers required to form and maintain their own legal entities.
- Retention of Intellectual Property: In contrast to traditional 360-degree deals where labels take a percentage of all artist income (touring, merchandise, etc.), ARC’s model allows artists to retain 100% ownership of their master recordings and all ancillary revenue streams.
- Professional Credibility and Legitimacy: Membership in a recognized 501(c)(3) program provides another layer of professional “vetting” and legitimacy that can be more persuasive to grant-giving institutions, academic researchers, and international distributors than independent status.
- Educational and Youth Integration: Through the Kansas City Area Youth Jazz program, some of the professional ARC recording artists also serve as mentors and coaches each season, creating a sustainable ecosystem where established professionals help develop the next generation of jazz musicians.
- Historical Preservation as a Public Service: As part of its nonprofit mission, ARC ensures that the GS1 documentation of every release in its catalogue is archived by the Kansas Historical Society, treating the artists’ music as a permanent cultural record rather than a temporary commercial product.
CONTACT
ARC c/o Kansas City Area Youth Jazz Inc.
Attn: Mr. Burnett, Registered Agent
P.O. Box 47, Leavenworth, KS 66048
Office: (913) 250-5141
Email: director@youthjazz.us