Martha Strodel is the Rural Arts Manager for the Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations. She works directly with local arts councils and art centers that serve rural communities in 32 upstate counties. The assistance provided to these organizations includes onsite and ongoing technical assistance, outside consultancies, regional workshops and networking sessions, and special projects such as the Rural Arts Network, which began in 1997 with on-site basic training in electronic communications for 10 of the Rural Partners.