The Vagina Museum will reopen in a new venue in March, six months after warning that it faced homelessness and closure.
The museum has moved to a venue in Bethnal Green in east London, after losing the lease on its previous premises in Camden last September.
The charity said at the time that alternative premises in the area offered to the museum were not suitable, and that it would be forced to close permanently unless it found a permanent space.
The Vagina Museum will open at its new venue with a free exhibition on 19 March.
From north to east
The Vagina Museum said in a statement that it had entered into a partnership with ENTER, a community hub in Bethnal Green which will host the charity and is already home to a café, rehearsal rooms and a co-working space.
ENTER described the museum as “a fantastic partner”.
The charity described long-term plans to find a new venue in its 2019-20 accounts, saying: “We are looking to expand into bigger premises within the next two years, which will enable us to facilitate more school visits and events.”
Charity refused to be 'hidden away'
The Vagina Museum first warned that it risked becoming homeless in August 2021, after its landlords in Camden Market, north London, decided to use the premises for retail.
The charity turned down offers of alternative venues elsewhere in the market which were less prominent to the public, arguing that its work should be “visible within the community, battling the stigma attached to the word, not hidden away like a dirty mag”.
The Jewish Museum, also based in Camden, helped provide somewhere for staff to work while the Vagina Museum was between permanent homes.
Thrilled to reopen
Florence Schechter, the founder and director of the museum, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to reopen our doors to the public.
“During our temporary closure, we’ve had so many people express how much they missed us. Since the beginning of the project, it’s been crucial to us for the Vagina Museum to exist as a physical space.
“These last few months have been tough as we’ve searched for a new home. We’re excited to become a part of the vibrant community in Bethnal Green.”
The new exhibition is being launched with support from the Body Shop.
