The Fresno Metropolitan Museum continues work to complete renovation of its main exhibit space, but the redesign of its Web site is finished.

The downtown museum launched the revamped site -- www.fresnomet.org -- on Aug. 15 with features that Met officials say are more involved and easier to maneuver.

"It's almost interactive in that you can get in and really find things that are great for you and delivered to you directly," says Candice Pendergrass, director of membership and public information.

"Whereas the other site, it was just disseminating information but it was not a real opportunity to 'visit' the museum online," she says.

Here are some new features on the Web site:

Blogs are penned by museum staff members. Click on "Met Talk" on the home page to access the blogs.

If you click on "Collections" on the home page, you can access information about the 3,000 pieces in the museum's permanent collection.

Art activities can be downloaded from the site by clicking on "Education & Programs." The activities can be found in areas such as "For Family & Kids" and "For Teachers."

The museum, which opened in 1984, is located in the original home of The Fresno Bee at Van Ness Avenue and Calaveras Street. It is scheduled to reopen in early 2007.

The Met launched its original Web site in early 2000 and last redesigned it in August 2003.

Like The Met, more museums across the country have created sophisticated Web sites to not only present information about their institutions, but also offer interactive programs to stimulate interest in the arts.

"It's the 21st century," Pendergrass says.

"If we want to be successful, we really need to have a strong, effective presence online."