A platform where creative work is seen fairly
JamContest is an independent platform where illustrators, musicians, photographers, writers, actors and game developers join contests, show their work in portfolios and the showcase, and meet companies.
What is JamContest?
In most creative contests it stays unclear how rules are applied, how jurors score and who pays the prize. JamContest publishes those answers for everyone to see before a contest starts.
Besides contests, every creator has a portfolio organised by discipline and a showcase for their work. Verified companies post jobs and projects and run contests.
Our principles
Each principle rests on a concrete rule enforced on the platform.
- Human work. Work produced with generative AI is not accepted. Everyone who builds a portfolio or submits to a contest explicitly accepts this rule. Human-Made and Payment Rule
- Transparent judging. Jurors score each criterion from 0 to 10 and write a justification of at least 100 characters. Criteria and their weights are published before the contest starts; a submitted vote is locked. The result is the weighted total of the criteria. Judging and results
- Disclosed prize funding. Every contest page shows who funds the prize, the agreed total and the sponsoring companies. The announced prize is paid to the winner in full; JamContest takes no cut of it. Prize funding
- Rights stay with creators. Ownership and intellectual property of submitted and shared work belong to the creator. Texts such as lyrics and writing are protected against copying. Content protection
- Verified identity. The Verified Creator badge is granted on measurable criteria and review. Company accounts are reviewed within 3–7 business days; posting jobs requires verification. Verified Creator
- Safe communication. Off-platform payment and donation links cannot be shared. This protects creators and employers against fraud. Payment links
What is on the platform?
- Contests: Contests with application, submission and jury stages, with schedule and rules published up front.
- Portfolio: A page per discipline: 2D and 3D art, photography, music, songwriting, writing, acting, game development.
- Showcase: Image, audio and 3D work on display. Creators open for orders show a starting price.
- Jobs and projects: Listings posted by verified companies for creators; applications are made on the platform.
- Quests and Jam Points: Jam Points earned through activity on the platform and used for features such as showcase posts. Jam Points cannot be bought.
- Studio: Tools for drawing, pixel art, music, photography, video, screenwriting and games. They run in the browser and in the Windows desktop app; you can work on the same file with your team in real time.
- JamSalon: Voice, video and text rooms where creators meet, work in teams and give feedback.
- News: Open calls, festivals, residencies and grants for artists, with their deadlines.
- Help Center: Articles explaining how the platform works, and a request system to reach the support team.
Who is it for?
- Creators: Join contests, build your portfolio, show your work in the showcase and apply to listings.
- Contest organisers: Run contests with an open schedule, rules and prize funding; invite your jury.
- Companies: Post listings, run contests and work directly with creators through a verified company account.
Company and team
JamContest is operated by JamContest LLC, organized in the state of Wyoming, USA. Company address: 30 N Gould St Ste N, Sheridan, WY 82801, USA.
Alongside the platform we publish JamContest Journal (journal.jamcontest.com), an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of art, design and creative research.
- Burak Can Tavukcu: Founder. Leads product and software development; software engineer.
- Taha Bostancı: Design Lead. US-based artist who leads the platform’s art direction and design team. tahabostanci.com
Fees
Joining contests, building a portfolio, browsing listings and the browser studio tools are free. The optional Creator membership is $7.99 per month; it can be purchased once payments open.
Contact
General enquiries: hey@jamcontest.com · Support requests: help@jamcontest.com · Personal data and legal matters: legal@jamcontest.com