An abandoned 19th-century bank right in the middle of Philadelphia’s Old City is about to become an immersive work of art never seen before.
Ministry of Awe (MoA) will open the doors to its Philadelphia headquarters on March 14 with the debut of an immersive, interactive and multisensory art experience unlike any other.
Globally renowned public artist Meg Saligman in collaboration with a team of over 100 other artists is transforming the space into a fantastical, seemingly impossible piece of art.
This six-story work of art brings MoA’s signature mix of wonder and surprise to Philadelphia at the start of the city’s 2026 semiquincentennial celebration.
“MoA is opening in Philadelphia because in this city, art isn’t just decoration, it’s declaration,” said Saligman. “Our exquisite creation is not just a place, but a collective spark, a shared breath, and a reminder of what it feels like to be truly moved, made possible in part by a brilliant and adventurous community of contributing artists. In a world where humans are more connected to screens and machines than to each other, we’re daring people to join us and to feel something new.”
Visitors may enter expecting a traditional bank, but the entire building is a living work of art. Towering installations, interactive sculptures, live performance, and immersive soundscapes bring this elaborately designed world to life.
According to the artists, Ministry of Awe is a mysterious entity that has existed since the beginning of time to collect, protect and value humanity.
Ministry of Awe will open Tuesdays-Sundays, with daytime and evening times available. Tickets will go on sale in January at moaphilly.org.
Prior to the opening, MoA customers are encouraged to join various community art-making events, including Tuesday Co-Creation Nights and First Friday events at 225 Church St., Philadelphia.
A full calendar of upcoming events can be found at moaphilly.org, and patrons are encouraged to join the MoA mailing list at moaphilly.org/connect.