The study relies on three sources of information: research literature, state grants for the arts, and interviews with experts.

Researchers consulted four types of research literature:

1. Theories about arts education, arts education policy, and the philosophy of art
2. Empirical research on arts education in public schools 
3. Research on arts education outside school
4. Research on arts education for adults

They then studied how state arts agencies allocated their resources. They looked at data about grants these agencies offered over the previous 20 years. They grouped grants by the types of recipients the grants funded, the types of activities they funded, and whether the grants funded educational activities. 

Finally, researchers interviewed experts to learn what federal and state governments were doing to create demand for the arts. Experts included:

• Arts education experts
• Arts journalists
• Supporters of arts education
• Staff of state departments of education
• Employees of state arts agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts