MANY arts and local organisations use the Web to make a connection with their members and audiences. It has proven to be an invaluable asset for many and more are coming online all the time. Here is a look at how some are making their mark.

With the fate of organisations such as Made In Cumbria somewhat unclear, one can but hope that their web site will be the glue that holds the members together until things are sorted.

Their site is a bonus for all members, giving them the strength in numbers and brand strength to access a global market for very little cost. It is one way to show strong support for local producers and artists shop online.

Check out Holker Hall's website to find out what's happening at this event for 2004. It is just one of many local events featuring Made In Cumbria members, and provides an excellent insight into how integrated their services are throughout the county and beyond.

Holker Hall is using thisisthelakedistrict's online shopping platform to put up a site selling tickets. It is expected to be live soon. Click on the Marketplace link in the left banner, then Shoppers World.

The MIC site also lists farmers' markets and county shows. Keswick starts off this season's Farmers Markets. Visit this site to find out more about local events and organisations in that area.

Eden Arts has added managing Cumbria's literary programmes to its umbrella of promoting and developing regional arts activities.

There is talk of a new site to support the literary side of things. Keep an eye out for it.

To see the full potential of the Internet and arts, visit the online museum. It's a fantastic project and you can be there in a minute, or less. It is an example of the Internet at its best.

Several organisations in the county have chosen our CommuniGate, free websites for non-profit groups, to promote their community endeavours. Under the new Arts and Literature section, you will find Word Market and The Bookshop at Tinners' Rabbit in Ulverston. Several other big ones are pending.

Visit Communigate to see who's online from our arts community.

Also new on the scene to promote local arts is Kate Willard at Rural Regeneration Cumbria. Her job is to help creative businesses expand their horizons. Hopefully, the Internet will play an important part in this initiative.

Also new on the Internet is a community well-known for its local talent, but about to get better known. Broughton-in-Furness has just launched a new web site, under the Hidden Britain programme and the Broughton Market Group direction. It is hoped this multi-group funded initiative will boost Broughton's tourism traffic and revenues. They join Duddon Valley, Low Furness, Appleby and Dentdale and several other areas to take part in this scheme. If it is successful in Cumbria, it may go nationally.

- New for 2004: We have launched a major writing competition in conjunction with Word Market South Cumbria Writers' and Readers' Festival in Ulverston from February 4-14. The E Short Story and Poetry competition aims to open the Internet up to writers by offering the winners the opportunity to be published online and have their own web site. See our Artists in Residence section or Word Market for details.