Jains Got Talent

The Jain Got Talent Committee is responsible for designing and managing a dynamic platform that enables individuals of all ages and backgrounds to share, develop, and celebrate their talents. The committee will organize local, national, and international opportunities for participation, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. Through performances, competitions, and showcases, it will promote awareness of Jainism, culture, and values in an engaging and uplifting manner. The initiative will serve as a tool for community engagement, relationship-building, and cultural preservation, while also providing measurable outcomes such as participation levels, talent recognition, and audience reach. By fostering a positive and supportive environment, the committee will help individuals grow while strengthening the broader Jain community.

• Chairperson: Provide overall leadership, vision, and alignment with JAINA’s mission and community goals.
• Program Director/Co-chairs: Design and oversee talent events, competitions, and showcases at various levels (local, national, international).
• JGT Ambassadors (engagement lead): Encourage participation, manage registrations, and ensure an inclusive and welcoming experience for all.
• Judging & Evaluation Lead: Develop fair evaluation criteria, coordinate judges, and ensure transparent recognition of talent.
• Marketing, Communications & technology Lead: Promote events through digital platforms, social media, and community outreach to maximize visibility and engagement.
• Partnerships & Sponsorship Lead: Build collaborations and secure sponsorships to support and expand the platform.
• Cultural & Content Lead: Ensure alignment of performances and messaging with Jain values and cultural sensitivity.
• Operations & Logistics Lead: Manage event execution, scheduling, technology platforms, and overall participant experience.
• Impact & Analytics Lead: Track participation, engagement metrics, and overall impact to continuously improve the initiative.

JGT Goals 2026-27

· Planning for the successful execution of JGT semi-finals and finals at JAINA Convention 2027

· Create a global platform to identify, and nurture Jain talent across all age groups and fields.

· Strengthen JGT as a premier showcase of talent at the bi-annual JAINA Convention.

· Encourage and support more local Jain societies to organize talent events and promote artists

· Collaborate more frequently with organizations like JITO to expand opportunities

· Use digital platforms and mentorship to help artists learn, connect, and grow globally.

· Preserve and promote Jain culture, values, and creativity through artistic expression and community engagement

Jains Got Talent (JGT), an initiative of JAINA, has grown over the past decade into one of the most anticipated and celebrated cultural programs at the JAINA Convention. Launched in 2011 at the Houston Convention, JGT was envisioned as a positive, inclusive platform to recognize, encourage, and celebrate talent across all age groups within the Jain community.

Held biennially during the JAINA Convention, JGT provides performers from the U.S., Canada, and beyond an opportunity to showcase their talents on the main stage before audiences of 3,000–5,000 attendees. Over the years, the program has featured a wide range of artistic expressions and has become a powerful medium for community engagement, cultural pride, and intergenerational participation.

From its early years in Detroit (2013) and Atlanta (2015) to its recognition as a Flagship and Crown Jewel Program at the 2017 Edison Convention, JGT has continually evolved in scale, professionalism, and impact. The program expanded regionally, strengthened its structure, and introduced ambassadors to promote participation across Jain centers. 

During the COVID years (2020–2021), JGT demonstrated remarkable adaptability by transitioning to a virtual format, resulting in record participation of 85 entries in 2021 and extended global reach. International collaboration followed, including engagement with organizations such as JITO, further strengthening JGT’s global footprint.

Recent conventions — Los Angeles (2019), Lakeland, Florida (2023), and Chicago (2025) — witnessed packed auditoriums, exceptional performances, and widespread appreciation from community leaders, dignitaries, and audiences alike. The 2025 Chicago Convention featured over 3,500 attendees and 11 finalist performances, reaffirming JGT’s stature as a premier cultural showcase. 

Today, Jains Got Talent stands not merely as a competition, but as a celebration of Jain values, creativity, and community spirit. With a clear vision for the future — expanding global reach, nurturing talent through mentorship, and preserving Jain culture through artistic expression — JGT continues to inspire generations and strengthen bonds across the Jain diaspora.