The world’s first
Inner Child Museum®
A place and a practice Created by Kadie Kelly
For the feelings we were never allowed to have
I live, practice and work on unceded lands. I acknowledge the struggle of people of color and seek to resist the oppressive systems in place that divide us and cause suffering. I acknowledge that I have benefitted from the creative and healing contributions of oppressed groups and that my work builds upon their examples of how to resist.
My intention is for the full liberation of all.
-Kadie Kelly
our adult lives are mirrors of who we were as children. Inner Child Museum seeks to make that MORE visible.
Why?
to show and tell the world that the answers are inside us.
Kadie Kelly performing an excerpt of Inner Child Museum in Oakland, CA, April 2026
Meanwhile, I share my practices, which feel like ritual to me, spanning visual art, music, performance art, writing, self-advocacy, poetry, herbalism, trauma informed yoga, dark humor, ancestral inquiry and more. I teach piano lessons privately to children and adults as well.
As an artist I currently share through online content, public speaking, live performances and workshops.
Join the Experiment
I'm launching small group gatherings — 4 to 8 people, online and in person — where I show and tell from my own practice and invite you into yours. We work and play independently and together. Then we share what emerged, in “show and tell” events.
This is Inner Child Museum as a living practice, not just a performance.
Join the email list to hear when the first gathering opens.
If you would like to collaborate with me to create an event that features me as an artist, speaker, teacher or facilitator please reach out.
The grand opening reception of Inner Child Museum, entitled ATTENTION, happened July 2024 on my front patio located on unceded Ohlone land, in Oakland, California, with 11 guests who participated in interactive exhibition that I created to honor my inner child. There were art pieces and artifacts that marked moments of connection between us and ways for attendees to honor their inner children. Here is a link to my archive of it with some photos and descriptions.
I envision creating variations of this in collaboration with others as pop up events, but ultimately my vision is to have a museum space dedicated to it, and an expansive mission to bring others into compassionate, courageous dialogue and presence with their inner children.
If you would like to support me in building systems to bring this idea to more people you can donate to this project, tax free. You may also volunteer to offer your expertise, collaboration ideas or anything else that sparks joy for you around this. Let’s synergize.
I released my debut album of piano solo pieces, Journey to Innocence, giving music to the experience of reckoning with the dangers, raw innocence and victories of my childhood and of now listening to my younger self. I performed the music at Piedmont Center for the Arts, but the performance was calling for a deeper rendering.
In 2026 I wrote and premiered a one woman show exploring danger, play and voice, posing the question:
Will the past keep us frozen or will listening carry us forward?
I titled the show Inner Child Museum. It had five successful runs at the Rogue Fringe Festival in Fresno, California.
Audience members shared:
“I was captivated!”
“Moving!”
“This resonates!”
“this story weaved with the music was very effective. Brave!”
For artwork inquiries email info@innerchildmuseum.org
Visit my store to purchase select pieces, sheet music, and other items.
Past Events:
Reclaim Your Voice: An Abecedarian Journey Back to Yourself
What people are saying
I attended an ABC workshop put on by Kadie Kelly and it was amazing! She did a great job creating a safe and open environment to write and share. I was surprised at how much came effortlessly through me during this workshop. Simple and fun and exactly what I needed to help get out of my writing funk and remind me of how beautiful it is to gather together to listen and to share.
-Sarah, participant
The workshop was fun and interesting. While I don’t consider myself a ‘writer,’ I can see how this helped me start the process and inspire me.
-Chris, participant
I loved it! Let’s do it again!
-Johanna, participant
Event date: 5/18/25, 1pm PDT (online) Register at Eventbrite (linked above)
Sigil Making Class
Intention: “I create strong bonds with the people that are right for me”
What people are saying:
Having the time to explore myself in a friendly and non judgmental setting was a highlight for me.
-Rosie, participant
Join us for our first art class where you will learn how to make a sigil dedicated to your inner child.
Event date: Thursday, July 25th, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Sigils are symbols that are imbued with personal meaning and intention, often used as a tool for manifestation and empowerment. In our workshop, we'll guide you through the process of creating your own sigil to support and nurture your inner child and whole being.
Space is limited. Register here
Grand Opening: Thursday, July 11th, 2024 at 7:00 pm PST
Oakland, California, USA
(near Kaiser hospital-exact address given upon registration)
KADIE KELLY
2024 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Inner Child Museum is a fiscal sponsee of Fractured Atlas. All donations are tax dedcutible
Kadie Kelly onstage at the Rogue Fringe Festival premiering Inner Child Museum, March 2026
I didn’t have the budget for high quality photography or video recording then, but I hope to perform it again with more financial support so I can share it with more people in a compelling way.
I applied for two local grants and one local residency this season (spring 2026) and was rejected from all three. I am hoping to gain insight from each institution about how to submit a more competitive application in the future, but a part of me anticipates the "revolution will not be funded.” -Angela Davis.
I say this because my story highlights childhood sexual abuse and trafficking.
If this kind of work matters to you, I invite you to support it directly. Donations are tax deductible.
Backstory
I started intuitively painting with watercolors in 2010 to help destress. I was a single mom of young kids, unpacking my own childhood trauma while holding everything together. A friend bought one of my paintings and hung it on his wall, another asked me to design some postcards. As I connected with the colors and made gestures on paper or canvas I found that I was making a connection with my inner child visible. Abstract forms would appear, crude sketches. The information they contained was the truth of what a younger version of me was feeling deep inside. Things I didn’t necessarily want to know or see were there. But as I paid attention, I discovered that this was an honor to be entrusted with and was a bridge to my heart.
I hope that by sharing some of these creations people can come to appreciate that they can build a relationship with their own inner child too, who may need them to listen, comfort them, and who may be the key to unlocking much joy, love, playfulness and peace, if they do.
I will be adding to this page often so go ahead and sign up for my email list if you are interested in being kept up to date.
If you are an artist, organization, business owner, community member or organizer interested in having a pop-up Inner Child Museum/event in your space email: info@innerchildmuseum.org