Ministry of Awe (MoA), a local nonprofit helmed by internationally renowned artist Meg Saligman, is set to transform the historic 19th-century Manufacturer’s National Bank in Old City into an immersive, multi-disciplinary work of art. The groundbreaking project will span six stories, 8,000 square feet, and more than 20 rooms, offering an interactive environment where visuals, performances, soundscapes, and storytelling come together to create a living, ever-changing canvas.
Saligman, known for her iconic artwork around Philadelphia, such as the Eagles “Bird Feed”, in which a bald eagle was gripping Tom Brady in its talons, and “Common Threads” at the corner of Broad and Spring Garden Streets, will take on a new title with her newest endeavor, Bank President.
Projected to open in late 2025, MoA will offer a time-ticketed experience: one in which visitors can wander freely through the historic, reimagined bank and its variety of installations and participatory experiences while being surprised by live performances occurring throughout the space. Within this interactive environment, participatory art, poetry, music, performance, and storytelling will blend together, creating an interactive theatrical experience.
“We are creating a traversable, interactive work of art deeply rooted in Philadelphia’s rich mural history,” said Saligman. “Old City Philadelphia is the birthplace of American banking, with several banks littered across the neighborhood, most of which now serve a different purpose. We’re taking one of them and transforming it into a world where art and narrative intertwine to create an unforgettable journey of exploration. We are truly aiming to be Philadelphia’s next cultural jewel.”
Some of the planned highlights include a two-story walk-through nest (‘Don’t Forget Your Nest Egg’); a renovated bank vault exploring the value of debt and domesticity; a counterfeiting studio where visitors can create their own currency; and a fully renovated fourth floor (‘The Heavens’) featuring murals by Saligman herself, bolstered by the use of visual AI tech, among many other interactive exhibits. The transformation will be facilitated by Philadelphia-area artists, incorporating a variety of artistic media and disciplines into the process.
“When we purchased the building it wasn’t up to code, having long been neglected,” said Saligman. “We’re working with the Philadelphia Historic Commission to preserve the original structure while making the space ADA accessible and safe for the general public. All the original art and architecture, including the beautiful vault and the Frank Furness architectural ornament, will remain intact.”
As a constantly evolving hub of engagement, this project will serve as a launch pad for broader community programs and collaborations that extend into schools and public spaces across Philadelphia.
“We’re a bank with no traditional currency,” said Saligman. “Money is fake. It’s the largest shared fiction in the world. We want people to share their own accounts, to access their own accounts, their own stories, and perhaps question what they value, perhaps see something that delights and inspires. We want people to bring their own unique ‘currency’ and enter a world of devious tellers and aerialists, interact with the work and somehow experience a small transformation within their own stories.”
For more information, visit moabank.org.
