If the arts are an essential means for cultural expression, then the study of arts participation is central to the understanding of U.S. culture and its evolution. This document aims to provide an understanding of arts participation at the national and local levels. To this end, the historical development of arts research is summarized and an overview of how to conduct an arts participation study is provided. The document is organized in 4 sections: (1) "Arts Participation Studies and Audience Research Techniques"; (2) "Historical Perspective on Arts Participation Research"; (3) "The Anatomy of an Arts Participation Study"; and (4) "Appendices" which include a sample instrument, an error table, definitions, resources, and a bibliography. (MM)