I just discovered this organisation called Media Arts Network which exists to
"raise the profile of media* arts practice through discussion, presentation, dissemination and collaborative creative opportunities.

(*By the term 'media', this is understood to include the use of lens-based work, sound, installation, multi-media communications and emergent technologies).

ma-net currently consists of members who work in organisations, companies and educational institutes with a geographic spread across Cumbria, Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester, enabling both rural and urban agencies to communicate and work together. "

Excellent! They have a nice website at www.ma-net.org though there's not a lot of content yet there are some good reviews by journalism students and listings of media arts events. FACT and Open Eye feature prominently, I even spotted one or two links to artinliverpool so they're obviously on the ball!