Vagina Museum

What Vagina Museum does

The Vagina Museum is a registered UK charity (charity number 1182022) and the world's first bricks-and-mortar museum dedicated to vaginas, vulvas, and gynaecological anatomy, founded in 2017 by Florence Schechter and headquartered at Arches 275-276 Poyser Street, Bethnal Green, London. Its core product is a physical exhibition programme comprising a permanent show ('From A to V' in Betsey's Gallery) and rotating exhibitions (currently 'Menopause: What's Changed?' in Lucy's Gallery through Summer 2026, 'Trans Ephemera' in Anarcha's Gallery), complemented by digital online exhibitions, a podcast, the quarterly 'Lip Service' zine, and CC BY-NC-SA-licensed educational resources for schools. There is no proprietary technology platform; the offering rests on curated exhibitions, in-person programming, and content distributed via a Squarespace website and online shop (vaginamuseumshop.co.uk).

The museum operates a diversified, donation-led revenue model with no regular government funding. Recurring revenue streams include Cliterati membership (£50/year or £6/month), a six-tier patronage programme ranging from Cyber Clit (£300/year) to Guardian of the Gynae (£7,500/year), and corporate donations. Transactional revenue is generated through ticket sales (with free self-guided school visits), paid school guided tours (£300 per session for up to 30 pupils), venue hire (private parties, product launches, screenings, conferences) with charity/emerging artist discounts, and retail merchandise. Capital needs are addressed through episodic crowdfunding campaigns — most notably a £85,000 emergency crowdfunder in spring 2023 supported by over 2,600 donors that enabled the move to the Bethnal Green premises.

Customer segments are deliberately broad: general public visitors, school groups, high-net-worth patrons, corporate event hirers, community groups and emerging artists exhibiting in Anarcha's Gallery, and academic/medical partners (Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford EndoCare, University of Sussex, UWE). Distribution is omnichannel but domestically anchored — physical visits in London, supplemented by global digital reach via online exhibitions, podcast, and zine archive — with a volunteer programme providing front-of-house operational support.

Name

Vagina Museum

Legal name

Vagina Museum

Website

https://vaginamuseum.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Vagina Museum is the world's first bricks-and-mortar museum dedicated to gynaecological anatomy, headquartered in Bethnal Green, London. Operating as a registered charity, it delivers educational exhibitions, a podcast, a zine, school programmes, venue hire, and community programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural and Educational Museum Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (71211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

Keywords

• Gynaecological anatomy education
• Museum exhibitions
• Sex education resources
• Community health engagement
• Feminist cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: The museum operates as a registered UK charity (charity number 1182022) relying heavily on donations. It offers annual membership (Cliterati) at £50/year or £6/month, providing benefits including a 10% shop discount, invitations to private views, free digital zine download, and a welcome pack.
2. Patronage Program: Six tiers of patronage ranging from £300/year (Cyber Clit) to £7,500/year (Guardian of the Gynae). Patrons receive exclusive benefits including private tours, named credits in exhibitions, event invitations, and behind-the-scenes access.
3. Venue Hire: The museum is hired out for private parties, product launches, book launches, screenings, performances, conferences, meetings, filming, tours and workshops. Special rates are offered for charities and emerging artists.
4. Ticket Sales and Retail: Visitors pay for museum entry (with free self-guided school visits) and can purchase merchandise from the online shop (vaginamuseumshop.co.uk) including zines, prints, and other items.
5. Fundraising Campaigns: The museum runs periodic crowdfunding campaigns including an emergency crowdfunder in spring 2023 and the Pelvic Appeal fundraiser. It also receives corporate donations from brands contributing £5,000 or more.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Vagina Museum is a bricks-and-mortar museum and registered UK charity delivering exhibitions, educational programs, and community content focused on gynaecological anatomy. Core offerings include permanent and rotating physical exhibitions, online exhibitions, a podcast, a quarterly zine, school learning programs, downloadable educational resources, and supporting membership and patronage programs. Earned revenue is generated from venue hire and a retail shop, but the organisation is primarily donation- and membership-funded.

Product overview

The Vagina Museum is the world's first bricks-and-mortar museum dedicated to vaginas, vulvas, and gynaecological anatomy. Its core offerings include permanent and rotating physical exhibitions (such as the permanent 'From A to V' exhibition and current 'Menopause: What's Changed?' exhibition), online digital exhibitions, a quarterly zine called 'Lip Service', a podcast series, and educational programmes for schools. The museum also offers membership (Cliterati), a patronage programme (Inner Circle), venue hire services, and fundraising initiatives like the Pelvic Appeal. The museum's mission focuses on eradicating stigma around gynaecological anatomy through education, exhibitions, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• From A to V (Permanent Exhibition) The museum's permanent exhibition housed in Betsey's Gallery, covering four main areas — anatomy, health, vulva diversity, and activism — dedicated to celebrating gynaecological anatomy and combating stigma and shame. Open during museum opening hours and accessible for school guided tours.
• Menopause: What's Changed? (Current Exhibition) Current temporary exhibition in Lucy's Gallery exploring menopause in history, from millennia of silence to the boom in a lucrative industry, and the burgeoning cultural scene. Running March 2025 to Summer 2026.
• Endometriosis: Into The Unknown Exhibition exploring the common condition endometriosis, from basics to cutting-edge research, including myths and reality of living with the condition. Produced in collaboration with Oxford EndoCare and Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics.
• Periods: A Brief History Exhibition highlighting stories from history about periods, exploring how societal beliefs about menstruation have impacted millions of people throughout centuries. Sponsored by The Body Shop.
• Muff Busters: Vagina Myths and How To Fight Them Exhibition highlighting myths about gynaecological anatomy circulating in popular culture and the internet, aiming to prove myths are for fairy-tales not bodies.
• Museum of Mankind Parody exhibition highlighting misogyny and oppression in history, heritage and the museum industry. Originally displayed as pop-ups at the Science Museum and Jewish Museum in 2019.
• Anarcha's Gallery (Community Gallery) Community gallery dedicated to exhibitions from community groups and up-and-coming artists, featuring rotating exhibitions such as 'Before The Blood' developed with Nisaba menstrual health charity.
• Vagina Museum Podcast Podcast series covering topics related to vaginas, gynaecological anatomy, and health. Episodes include 'Muff Busters' mini-series, 'Trans Saints and Gay Vikings', 'The Myth of the Victorian Vibrator', and an endometriosis mini-series funded by Wellcome.
• Lip Service Zine Quarterly publication by the Vagina Museum in the style of old school community magazines. Content includes expanded exhibition content, long-form commentary, cultural critique, horoscopes, and letters. Available in print and digital formats.
• Cliterati Membership Annual membership program costing £50 per year or £6 per month. Benefits include 10% discount in shop and events, invitations to private views and special events, welcome pack and membership card, free digital download of Lip Service zine, and Cliterati e-newsletter.
• Inner Circle Patronage Programme Patronage programme with six tiers (Cyber Clit through Guardian of the Gynae) from £300/year to £7,500/year. Offers exclusive benefits including named credits in exhibitions, behind-the-scenes tours, private dinners with the Director, and VIP event invitations.
• School Programmes Educational programmes for school groups including self-guided visits (free), guided tours of exhibitions (£300 for private tours), and workshops. Includes worksheet activities and curriculum-linked resources.
• Educational Resources Downloadable educational materials including anatomy worksheets, endometriosis resources, and classroom materials. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA for non-commercial use.
• Venue Hire Event venue rental service for private parties, product launches, book launches, screenings, performances, conferences, meetings, filming, tours, and workshops. Special rates available for charities and emerging artists.
• Pelvic Appeal Fundraiser Fundraising initiative including the Pelvic Floor Exercise Challenge encouraging participants to build a healthy habit while raising money for the museum. Includes sponsored challenges with downloadable sponsorship forms.
• Tours and External Events Group tours of up to 30 people with optional object handling, plus off-site workshops, talks and events delivered online or in person.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,600 donors contributed to the 2023 emergency crowdfunder to secure the Bethnal Green premises
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NisabacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Menstrual health charity committed to menstrual justice for migrants, refugees, and people seeking asylum in the UK. Co-developed the 'Before The Blood' community project displayed in Anarcha's Gallery (October 2025 - January 2026), exploring diverse menstrual experiences across cultures.
• BBH (Bartle Bogle Hegarty)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Creative agency partner for the collaborative fundraising billboard campaign in 2025, 'BatonBold', which hijacked famous artwork to drive critical funding for the museum.
• University of SussexminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Academic partner supporting the current 'Menopause: What's Changed?' exhibition (Lucy’s Gallery, March 2025 - Summer 2026).
• University of West of England (UWE)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Academic partner supporting the 'Menopause: What's Changed?' exhibition (March 2025 - Summer 2026).
• The Body ShopcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sponsored the 'Periods: A Brief History' exhibition, which ran at Camden Market (May-September 2021) and Bethnal Green (March 2022 - February 2023). The Body Shop's support enabled the museum to produce and tour this stigma-busting exhibition on menstrual history.
• Wellcome Centre for Human GeneticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sponsored the 'Endometriosis: Into the Unknown' exhibition (November 2023 - April 2024). Also funded the museum's endometriosis podcast mini-series (Season 5), which included episodes on the condition's history, patient support, and cutting-edge research at the University of Oxford.
• Oxford EndoCare (Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Academic and medical collaboration for the 'Endometriosis: Into the Unknown' exhibition, producing educational content with Oxford-based endometriosis researchers and clinicians. Also featured in the museum's podcast series on endometriosis.
• Museum of DissentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Inspired the 'Museum of Mankind' exhibition, a parody of misogyny and oppression in history and museum interpretation. The exhibition originated as pop-ups at the Science Museum and Jewish Museum in 2019.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• The Body Shop: Corporate sponsor of the 'Periods: A Brief History' exhibition and listed major donor (£5,000+ tier). Included as a strategic/funder peer given the sponsorship relationship and overlapping menstrual-health mission rather than direct operational overlap.

Direct peers

• Museum of Broken Relationships: Single-themed museum built around user-donated objects (in this case, ex-relationship artefacts). Highly comparable operating model: niche subject, donated-collection exhibits, ticketed entry, online shop, and international touring exhibitions.
• Museum of Sex: New York-based museum dedicated to sexuality and the cultural history of sex. Most direct thematic peer — single-issue, educational, exhibition-led, and reliant on ticket sales, retail, and private events to fund a stigmatised subject.
• Tenement Museum: New York museum telling the immigrant story through preserved tenement apartments. Comparable as a single-theme, education-led museum with ticketed guided tours, school programmes, and a content/archive-driven model that has expanded into digital learning.
• Jewish Museum London: London cultural museum that has also hosted Vagina Museum pop-up exhibitions. Comparable as a small London institution with limited permanent space, exhibition-led programming, school engagement, and heavy reliance on grants, donations, and venue hire.
• Freud Museum London: Small London specialty museum in a single historic house, operating with paid admission, educational programming, and a high donor-dependency model. Comparable scale, mission-driven positioning, and reliance on cultural-tourism footfall.

Broad incumbents

• Horniman Museum and Gardens: South London museum combining anthropology, music, and natural history with strong educational programming. Comparable as a London specialty institution with a school visits programme, ticketed exhibitions, and venue hire operations.
• Science Museum (London): Major London institution that has hosted Vagina Museum pop-ups (e.g., Museum of Mankind in 2019). Functions as a venue partner and an established incumbent in the science/health education space the Vagina Museum occupies.
• Wellcome Collection: London-based museum and library focused on health and the human body, funded by the Wellcome Trust. The Vagina Museum's endometriosis programming is explicitly funded by Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, making it a partner-incumbent with overlapping audience and subject matter.

Emerging players

• Museum of Ice Cream: Instagram-first themed attraction that monetises a single subject through immersive design, retail, and high-volume ticketed entry. Less aligned on mission, but comparable as a category-defining 'museum-as-experience' that demonstrates the commercial ceiling of a niche, single-subject venue.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vagina_museum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vmuseum

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vagina Museum