This monograph utilizes data from the 1985 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA '85) to explore the audience composition of United States art museums and galleries. Part 1 focuses on: (1) demographic variables affecting U.S. adult attendance rates; (2) a comparison of the SPPA '85 research data and the 1984 "Americans and the Arts" studies; and (3) a comparison of United States, Great Britain, France, Sweden, and Canada (Quebec) attendance patterns. Part 2 examines barriers to art museum or gallery attendance, while part 3 explores audience socialization factors that affect attendance. Part 4 presents an audience profile based on demographic characteristics and compares it to the general population's profile. An appendix describes an exploratory analysis of the relationship between participation rates and the number of art museums. Tables and graphs are included. (JHP)