[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 135 (Tuesday, July 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41850-41851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17784]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES


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

July 9, 2003.
    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 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 a.m. and 4 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: 250.
    Total Burden Hours: 25.
    Total Annualized Capital/Start Up Costs: 0.
    Total Annual Cost (Operating/Maintaining systems or Purchasing 
Services): 0.
    The National Endowment for the Arts enriches our nation and its 
diverse cultural heritage by supporting works of artistic excellence, 
advancing learning in the arts, and strengthening the arts in 
communities throughout the country.
    With the advice of the National Council on the Arts and 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 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 practicable, of individuals 
reflecting a wide geographic, ethnic, and minority representation as 
well as to (2) ensure that all panels include representation by 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 regarding representation on advisory panels, the 
endowment has established an 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

[[Page 41851]]

basic information from qualified individuals recommended by the arts 
community; arts organizations; Members of Congress; the general public; 
local, state, and regional arts organizations; Endowment staff; and 
others.

Murray Welsh,
Director, Administrative Services, National Endowment for the Arts.
[FR Doc. 03-17784 Filed 7-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7536-01-M