MediaPost reports that the site, which is currently in Beta form, will have monthly contests with two $5,000 prizes.

The vision for OurStage is to enable amateur creators to find their audience and launch their careers on the Web. Fans choose the genre of entertainment they wish to be judged in: For example, in music, genres include acoustic, indie/alternative, pop, rock, jazz and blues, among others.

For video, artists can enter animation, comedy and music videos. The company draws a distinction in video between filmmaking (serious video) and playful video. During the last four days of the month, fans judge and vote for the finalists.

[CEO Benjamin] Campbell said that OurStage is more than an online "American Idol," because it allows the community to identify emerging talent and earn cash, and actually helps launch artists' careers via a network of partners--including music conferences, film festivals and magazines. It also mixes in the sexiest elements of TV by offering daily Web video hosted by EJs (Entertainment Jockeys) who post daily video blogs, discuss artists as they progress on the charts, conduct interviews, and broadcast from music and film festivals. OurStage partners include GenArt, CMJ.com, various independent film and music festivals, along with Verge, Relix, Urb and Paste magazines.