The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. Prior to its establishment, giving to the arts served as precedent to the Endowment, and continues as its principal factor. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. The NEA has its offices in the Old Post Office building, in Washington, D.C. It was awarded Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre in 1995.