National Endowment for the Arts; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has submitted the following public information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 [Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35]. Copies of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the National Endowment for the Arts' Deputy for Guidelines, Panel, & Council Operations, A.B. Spellman 202/682-5421. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/TDD) may call 202/682-5496 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Comments should be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the National Endowment for the Arts, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 202/395-7316, within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register.

The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility.
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Agency: National Endowment for the Arts.

Title: Panelist Profile Form.

Frequency: Every three years.

Affected Public: Individuals.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 271.

Total Burden Hours: 54.

Total Annualized Capital/Start Up Costs: 0

Total Annual Costs (Operating/Maintaining systems or Purchasing Services): 0.

The National Endowment for the Arts, an investment in America's living cultural heritage, serves the public good by nurturing the expression of human creativity, supporting the cultivation of community spirit, and fostering the recognition and appreciation of the excellent and diversity of our nation's artistic accomplishments.

With the advice of the National Council on the Arts and the advisory panels, the Chairman establishes eligibility requirements and criteria for the review of applications for funding. Section 959(c) of the Endowment's enabling legislation, as amended, directs the Chairman to utilize advisory panels to review applications and to make recommendations to the National Council on the Arts, which in turn makes recommendations to the Chairman.,

The legislation requires the Chairman“(1) to ensure that all panels are composed, to the extent practible, of individuals reflecting a wide geographic, ethnic, and minority representation as well as to (2) ensure that all panels include representation of lay individuals who are knowledgeable about the arts * * *” In addition, the membership of each panel must change substantially from year to year and each individual is ineligible to serve on a panel for more than 3 consecutive years. To assist with efforts to meet these legislated mandates.

Automated Panel Bank System (APBS), a computer database of names, addresses, areas of expertise and other basic information on individuals who are qualified to serve as panelists for the Arts Endowment.

The Panelist Profile Form, for which clearance is requested is used to gather basic information from qualified individuals recommended by the arts community, arts organizations, Congress, the general public, local and state and regional arts organizations, self, Endowment staff, and others.