By Anders Anglesey
U.S. News Reporter
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The world's first vagina museum faces an uncertain future after revealing that its lease will end soon but it has yet to secure a new venue.
In an effort to raise awareness and support, a spokesperson for the Vagina Museum in London posted about its plight on Twitter.
The museum, located at Camden Market, has requested the public's help in finding a new venue or, failing that, donations or storage space to keep its displays safe while the team searches for a more permanent home.
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In a tweet thread published on Monday, a museum spokesperson said: "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 [sic]. The pandemic has been rough for the entire museum sector. Now the Vagina Museum is at risk of becoming homeless."
The spokesperson 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."
A later tweet read: "We've been trying for the last year to secure new premises, as demand for a museum dedicated to vaginas, vulvas and the gynecological anatomy is exceeding physical capacity. We are actively pursuing leads, but we need options if these do not pan out."
The museum team added that if no solution is found, the museum "won't exist as a physical space at the end of September."
Visitors to the Vagina Museum website can now donate to prevent its "permanent closure."
A spokesperson for the Vagina Museum told Newsweek: "Since we first opened our doors in 2019, we've been absolutely blown away by the warm reception we've received around the world.
"The pandemic has been challenging for the museum sector, and in particular for a small, new, independent museum like the Vagina Museum. Nonetheless, we've made it so far, because we have a vibrant community of people who share our view and believe that the world needs a physical museum space dedicated to educating about and celebrating vaginas, vulvas and the gynecological anatomy.
"Our long-term plan has always been to grow the museum in order to physically accommodate more visitors and exhibitions. With our landlords' decision to not renew the lease on either the museum premises or office space we've been renting in a separate building, this search has become incredibly urgent."
She added: "In going public with our search, what we hope is that one of those passionate people who believes in education and empowerment will see our message and be able to help."
A spokesperson for Camden Market told Newsweek: "We were excited to welcome the Vagina Museum to Camden Market in 2019. We liaised directly with Camden Council and secured a temporary 24-month planning permission to accommodate them.
"Unfortunately, this planning permission is due to expire and, as a result, we have already offered a new, larger location that fits the requirements of this business for a rental fee in line with current expectations. This offer has been declined, however, we are still happy to negotiate with the team should interest change at all."
Update 8/4/21, 5:20 a.m. ET: This article was updated to add comments from the Vagina Museum and Camden Market.
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