National Endowment for the Arts

The National Endowment for the Arts (National Endowment for the Art; abbreviated: NEA) is an independent organization dedicated to providing funding for excellence in the arts, and was established by a proposal of the U.S. Congress in 1965. Its purpose is to provide funding and assistance for outstanding art, creativity, and artistic innovations of all kinds that benefit individuals or society. Among other things, the foundation's NEA Jazz Masters award is the highest honor for jazz musicians in the U.S., with a maximum of seven recipients a year and a high degree of visibility.