The “art of the mentally ill” as defined for the purposes of NAEMI, refers to art produced by individuals, often institutionalized, usually self-taught and without any formal artistic training, whose work arises from an intense, innate personal vision. Through public exhibitions NAEMI seeks to educate the public about this art and to aid in overcoming and dispelling any negative bias associated with the circumstances of its production and to affirm the positive power and importance of the creativity of mentally disabled individuals.