A NEW free-to-use website, Creative Hertfordshire, has been launched this week.

It means that anyone living in or visiting Herts will only need to visit one website, www.creativehertfordshire.com to find out what’s on, what to do and where to go.

It is geared at enabling families, as well as music fans, film buffs, theatre lovers and art and craft enthusiasts to explore, visit and be inspired to try something new by browsing the site and signing up for newsletters.

As well as encouraging enjoyment of the arts and visits to venues, Creative Hertfordshire also aims to nurture creative individuals, places, organisations and businesses across the county.

All 11 local authorities in Herts as well as Arts Council England, the University of Herts and Watford Palace Theatre are funding the website.

Although the site is new to Herts, it is part of a growing network that was launched in 2008 with Creative Torbay which now has over 1,200 listings.

The website development has been led by representatives from the Herts Arts Partnership - a network of arts organisations across the county.

Paul Upson from UHArts explained: “www.creativehertfordshire.com is much more than just a brochure for what’s on in Hertfordshire. The software behind the site drives everything, from finding what’s nearest to someone’s current location (particularly on the mobile version of the website) to updating the homepage and what features in the newsletter.

“It will constantly refresh itself based on the user generated content and as such really belongs to the people of Hertfordshire.”

Nick Denham from Herts Music Service is convinced that Creative Hertfordshire will benefit the whole county, “We believe that www.creativehertfordshire.com represents an incredible opportunity to bring the county of Hertfordshire together and develop long term prosperity across the arts, culture, and creative industries.”

Creative Hertfordshire representatives will be at the Herts County Show this Saturday and Sunday.