DESCRIPTION: The 1975 Americans and the Arts study was the second in a series of studies measuring participation in and attitudes about the arts and arts in education. This survey surveyed 1555 respondents selected from the U.S. population 16 years and over. In face-to-face interviews the researchers measured childhood arts exposure, current arts participation, leisure activities, and attitudes regarding arts and arts funding. This survey also included a section on the 1976 presidential race.
RESEARCHER AND DATA: Conducted by the National Research Center for the Arts, an affiliate of Louis Harris and Associates, Inc.
SAMPLE: The researchers used a random multi-stage cluster sampling design to obtain a cross-section sample of the U.S. population, 16 years and over. Data were collected from 1555 respondents in face-to-face interviews conducted in June, 1975.
DATA: Demographic indicators include gender, education coded in 9 categories, age coded in 9 categories, income coded in 9 categories, and marital status coded in 5 categories. Respondents were asked number of children under 16 that respondent is the parent of. Respondents were not asked to indicate if these children live in the household. As a result, the number of children actually living in a household may be overreported. Respondents were asked if they were working and occupations are coded in 9 categories. Respondents were also asked their religious preference and their race/ethnicity.
This survey measured leisure activities, cultural attitudes and preferences, and community opportunities for the arts. Respondents were asked in-depth questions about their childhood exposure to the arts, their cultural background, and current attitudes regarding appreciation of music, theater, movies, ballet, opera, museums, visual arts.
The survey also measured attitudes about quality of life, historical preservation, community resources. It included questions regarding attitudes about the cost of the arts, price supports for the arts, and views on government and business support of arts and cultural opportunities. Questions regarding participation in and attitudes towards sports and sporting events, and vacation leisure activities were also included.
This survey also included a section with questions about the 1976 presidential
election campaign.
PUBLICATIONS:
Reed, J.S. and Mardsen, P.V., 1980. Leisure Time Use in the South: A Secondary Analysis. National Endowment for the Arts. (ERIC No. ED221435)
Orend, Richard, 1984. The Arts Public in the South. National Endowment
for the Arts Research Division Report #17.
FOR TAPE, CODEBOOK AND INFORMATION:
Institute for Research in Social Sciences
Louis Harris Data Center
Campus Box #3355
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
(919) 962-0517