To maintain the National Standard as a useful information collection system over time, periodic revisions are made to the system. About the National Standard contains general information on the goals and principles guiding all revisions. A process roadmap illustrates the process used to formulate changes and the multiple points of consultation with states, regions and other stakeholders. Additional information about revisions activities currently under way is outlined below.

In 2010, a National Standard Revisions Working Group was formed. Comprised of an equal number of state and regional and NEA representatives, the Working Group:

• considers what refinements to the National Standard may be needed;
• seeks consensus on ways that National Standard revisions can meet the needs of states, regions, the NEA and NASAA;
• formulates a draft revisions proposal;
• provides the field with opportunities to comment on proposed changes;
• offers implementation suggestions to NASAA and the NEA.

Under the guidance of the Working Group, a field assessment survey was administered to all state arts agencies and regional arts organizations in 2010. In addition to reviewing the detailed findings of this assessment, the Working Group identified major areas of interest and concern important to the formulation of a revisions plan.

As the field assessment results were being considered, the working group also received notice from the NEA that, in conjunction with its new strategic plan, the agency would be revising its reporting and performance measurement requirements for all NEA grantees, including states and regions. However, specific details on those data needs were not available at that time. A joint NEA/NASAA decision therefore was made to place the National Standard revisions process on temporary hold in order to allow the process to dovetail meaningfully with changes in the NEA's data collection strategies. This decision was made, in part, for the sake of efficiency. (Nobody wanted states and regions to have to modify all of their guidelines, databases and information management systems twice.) It also allowed for the possibility of harmonizing the National Standard and NEA reporting requirements to the greatest possible degree.

Throughout 2011, the NEA examined its reporting needs in light of its new strategic plan and emerging federal reporting requirement trends, seeking feedback from states and regions at key junctures. See the NEA's Message to the Field Regarding SAA and RAO Reporting for more information.

With more information on the NEA's reporting needs now available, the National Standard Working Group reconvened in June 2012. During the remainder of the 2012 calendar year, the Working Group will consider the common needs of states, regions and the NEA and will develop a revisions proposal in the autumn of 2012. All states and regions (as well as their database providers) will have the opportunity to respond to a revisions proposal prior to its ultimate consideration by the NASAA board of directors and the NEA senior staff. To submit comments or ask questions in the meantime, contact Ryan Stubbs.

Updated July 2012