The Vagina Museum plans to reopen after finding its third physical setting, but it fears it will have to close permanently if it does not raise £85,000 by early June.
It said the new “perfect space” is beneath a pair of twin railway arches in east London.
The charity, which exists to end the stigma and shame about vaginas and vulvas, and has closed its physical museum several times in the past few years.
It was first in Camden Market before closing for the duration of the pandemic and in 2022, the museum relaunched at a site in Bethnal Green as part of a property guardianship scheme, which it was then evicted from in March.
‘Now-or-never’
A statement on its social media reads: “We’ve done extensive financial modelling and know there’s a long, secure future in this new premises.
“But the protracted search and being unable to raise funds while closed has proved costly and dug the museum deep into our reserves. We need a substantial cash injection now.”
“This is a now-or-never situation,” the charity said, and without the funding “we’re not going to be able to survive beyond a few months, and all activities, including on this account, will cease”.
The statement continues: “We can see this bright future in front of us. A long lease in a premises with space for three exhibitions at once, an events room and the possibility of expanding to include a cafe. We’re so close. We just need your help to get us over the line.
“We can see this bright future in front of us. A long lease in a premises with space for three exhibitions at once, an events room and the possibility of expanding to include a cafe. We’re so close. We just need your help to get us over the line.”
At the time of writing, the charity has already reached £55,000 of £85,000.
The Vagina Museum said the £85,000 covers a number of additional expenses, including deposit on the premises. It is currently under offer, and deposit would not need to be paid until early June at the earliest, according to the charity.
It will also cover legal and admin fees, fit out costs and overheads during the fit-out period such as staff salaries and day-to-day running costs.
The Vagina Museum said should it meet the target, it will review how much it has successfully collected to see how it's best put to use. This could include a longer fit-out period while installing a lift, or other programme work.
The charity told Civil Society this fundraising campaign prevents it from going any further into its reserves, and covers the large initial expenses associated with moving premises.
Its financial modelling suggests that with the time-frame in which it is working, the charity's reserves should be completely replenished by self-generated income raised (e.g. venue hire, shop sales, event ticketing) within the space by the end of the year.
The Vagina Museum is also in the process of applying for several grants to support future exhibitions and programme work.
Charity Commission data for the year to June 2022 shows its total income was £117,000.
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