Supporting Statement B

Supporting Statement B: Arts Basic Survey
B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods
B.1. Universe and Respondent Selection
The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the ABS as a February supplement in conjunction with the CPS.
The universe is the more than 133 million housing units in all counties and independent cities that make
up the United States. From this universe, the survey is conducted in approximately 59,000 eligible
housing units throughout the United States. About 59,000 households will be interviewed each month.
The Bureau will administer the 2025 ABS supplement to a random half of the eligible households, or the
approximately 29,500 households, who are in four of the CPS months in sample rotations.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated, based on the 2020 ABS and recent survey results, that approximately
30,000 adults will be eligible for the 2025 ABS supplements. Since the ABS allows proxy responses for
spouses or partners, the expectation is that data will be collected on approximately 24,000 adults. The
exact number will depend on the Supplemental response rate, which is expected to be about 80%. The
response rate for the basic CPS questions is expected to be 70%).
B.2. Survey Collection Procedures
The main data for the Arts Basic Survey will be collected as a supplemental survey associated with the
February 2025 CPS. This instrument will contain 2 forms: Form 1 contains questions about arts creation
performance, and learning; Form 2 includes questions on arts attendance. Attachment H gives an
overview of the CPS sample design and weighting.
B.3. Methods for Maximizing Response Rate
One of the main reasons that the NEA has chosen to have the ABS as a supplement to the CPS is
historically, the CPS has achieved higher response rates than what would otherwise be possible. To avoid
breakoffs, the NEA has kept the number of supplemental questions to a minimum. Questions have been
taken from previous SPPA instruments; NEA also has tested each question to ensure that the questions
are easy to answer and will not lead to any significant item nonresponse. As with the SPPA, to avoid
lower response rates, the NEA has given permission to the U.S. Census Bureau to collect information via
proxy from a knowledgeable adult in the event that the target respondent is unavailable during the CPS
field period. Finally, the U.S. Census Bureau’s ABS supplement survey weights will include a
nonresponse adjustment, which reduces potential nonresponse bias.
B.4. Procedures or Methods Testing
An extensive program of testing was conducted on CPS methods, procedures, and content from 1978
through 1993 using the Methods Development Survey (MDS), and its predecessor, the Methods Test
Panel (MTP).

The results of the testing have become the CPS Labor Force instrument, which uses an automated
Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing/Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing environment. For
information on the results, see the February 1994 Employment and Earnings article titled, “Revisions to
the Current Population Survey Effective January 1994.”
In addition, since 1994 the roster and demographic collection questions have been thoroughly vetted and
reviewed on a regular basis. Any changes to the Roster Collection or Demographic Characteristic
questions are reviewed at the corporate level within the U.S. Census Bureau. Following standard testing
procedures, any changes are cognitively tested, then tested in the field by the survey designated to first
use them, and then reviewed and incorporated in any other survey using the same mode, with a need for
the same collection.
Procedurally, each month before production each data processing system is tested for any errors. On a test
platform, the Census Bureau mimics interviewing to collect test data. As part of the initial load of data
and instruments, the Census Bureau tests case assignments in the field as well. In the winter of 2024, as
part of the sample redesign that will begin in April 2025, all systems will be thoroughly tested in three
rounds.
B.5. Individuals Responsible for Study Design and Performance
The following individuals may be contacted on the statistical data collection and analysis operations:
For the ABS Survey Design:
Patricia Mullaney-Loss
Social Science Analyst
Office of Research and Analysis
National Endowment for the Arts
202.682.5400x5013
Census Bureau:
Tim J. Marshall
Assistant Survey Director
Current Population Surveys
Associate Directorate Demographic Programs
U.S. Census Bureau
Cell: 202-306-1254
Taylor Smith
Survey Statistician
Current Population Survey (CPS)
Associate Directorate for Demographic Programs (ADDP)
U.S. Census Bureau
301-763-7131
Kyra Linse

Survey Director
Current Population Survey and American Time Use Survey Team
U.S. Census Bureau
240-423-0028
Attachments
A. Title 13, Section 182, United States Code
B. First Federal Register Notice
C. Second Federal Register Notice
D. 2025 ABS Arts Basic Survey
E. CPS Advance Letter
F. Confidentiality Brochure
G. Fact Sheet for the Current Population Survey
H. Overview of CPS Sample Design and Methodology