The Vagina Museum “won’t exist as a physical space” unless it can find a new venue in the next two months, the charity warned yesterday.
The museum announced that it was “at risk of becoming homeless” after losing the lease on its current premises in Camden, north London.
Camden Market has decided to use that space for a clothes store instead, and the Vagina Museum said that none of the alternative venues offered by the market were appropriate.
Charity: We must not be ‘hidden away’
The Vagina Museum asked supporters for help on Twitter yesterday.
“The pandemic has been rough for the entire museum sector. Now the Vagina Museum is at risk of becoming homeless,” it tweeted.
It continued: “Camden Market will not be renewing our lease. They’ve decided to turn the Vagina Museum’s premises into a clothes shop instead.
“We’ve asked about alternative buildings within the market, and they haven’t offered anything fit for purpose.
“The one new space Camden Market have shown us is on a top floor, this would effectively relegate the Vagina Museum to the top shelf and out of sight.
“This simply won’t work for us: ‘vagina’ is not a dirty word.
“It should be visible within the community, battling the shame attached to the word, not hidden away like a dirty mag.”
We’d prefer not to air our linens in public (unless we’re showing you how vaginal acidity is normal). But we need to say something, and we need to ask your help. The pandemic has been rough for the entire museum sector. Now the Vagina Museum is at risk of becoming homeless.
— Vagina Museum (@vagina_museum) August 2, 2021
September deadline
The Vagina Museum opened on its site in Camden in October 2019.The museum said it has been trying to find a new location for a year because it needs more space, but must now move by the end of September.
The Twitter thread went on: “We’ve been trying for the last year to secure new premises, as demand for a museum dedicated to vaginas, vulvas and the gynaecological anatomy is exceeding physical capacity.
“We are actively pursuing leads, but we need options if these do not pan out.”
The charity’s financial accounts, for the year to June 2020, show that the museum made a £50,000 surplus in its first twelve months, which it said could help meet overhead costs if the impact of the pandemic continued.
The accounts also show that the museum’s long-term plan includes moving to a larger venue. They say: “We are looking to expand into bigger premises within the next two years, which will enable us to facilitate more school visits and events.
“If we are able to get a second gallery, this would allow us to hold more exhibitions.”
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