15/08/2021
As you may know, I've been volunteering at the Va**na Museum since it opened in 2019. I have personally seen the impact it has had on the people who have come to visit, and I'm very sad that our current tenancy in Camden is coming to an end in a few short weeks' time. If you have any leads for a new location for the museum, please get in touch with them directly!
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 Va**na Museum is at risk of becoming homeless. Camden Market will not be renewing our lease. They’ve decided to turn the Va**na 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 Va**na 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 explained the unit wasn’t suitable, but they didn’t offer any alternatives.
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. So this is the point where we’re asking for your help. Do you work somewhere which might have a building which is suitable to be the next Va**na Museum premises? Do you know someone who can help? If we don’t get these matters resolved, the Va**na Museum won’t exist as a physical space at the end of September.
We are looking for a space which is approximately a minimum of 2000 square feet.
It needs to be in a commercial or cultural quarter
It needs to be wheelchair accessible so our volunteers and visitors who use wheelchairs can access the space
It needs to be in London - our front of house volunteers and staff are London-based and can’t expect them to relocate
We’re looking to pay if possible a max of £35/sq foot/pa (better if lower of course!)
In a worst-case scenario, we’re also looking for anyone who can offer us a storage option if we cannot find suitable premises - if you’ve got any empty office buildings which aren’t being used, would we be able to store our exhibition and collection until this is resolved? We would also need some office space as an interim option, with space for 4 desks.
We know within our network we have a host of eager beavers who believe in our cause, and we know many of you will be able to help make introductions, or provide what we need. That’s why we’re asking, even though it’s scary to be so transparent about our situation.
If you don’t have a building for us, you can still help. Please share this message and or make a donation. Every donation you make towards the Va**na Museum helps us grow, keeps us safe - and will help us weather yet another storm. We’ve made it through the pandemic, and with you at our side, we can make it through this.
