Press & Media

“Housed in the former Manufacturer’s National Bank in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood, Ministry of Awe will be a traversable, living work of art, dedicated to inspiring awe. With six stories and over 8,500 square feet (nearly 750 square meters) of interactive space, including immersive exhibits, live performances, and soundscapes for visitors to explore, Ministry of Awe will be unlike any other arts destination in the region.”

— Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, June 17, 2025

““When it comes to street art, we think it's only men who will scale the building and hang off them. Well, I am a mother of four who scales the building, hangs off it and operates the boom.”

— Meg Saligman in USA Today, March 27, 2025

“We are creating a traversable, interactive work of art deeply rooted in Philadelphia’s rich mural history. We’re taking [a historic bank] and transforming it into a world where art and narrative intertwine to create an unforgettable journey of exploration.”

— Meg Saligman in Metro Philadelphia, October 10, 2024

“This space is breathtaking, with its interesting layout, quirky, original details, huge scale, and
sky-lit interior being a perfect setting for future performances. To finally open it up to public use after a forty-year layoff is just the icing on the cake for this architectural gem. Given the A+ location, design, and concept, we hope this becomes a new staple of the Philly arts scene.”

— OCF Realty, April 26, 2024

“We are creating a very special bank. There’s no traditional money in it. We trade in art. We trade in energy. We trade in what our visitors bring; that’s what we value.”

— Meg Saligman on Fox29’s Good Day Uncut, June 25, 2025

“Ministry of Awe will feature sculptures, murals, soundscapes and performance art across six stories. The art will play on the building's past life by challenging ‘conceptions of value, exchange and humanity.’”

— Philly Voice, June 17, 2025

"If you think about banking, money is fiction. ... It's not backed by gold, it's just something that we all trust and trade in, — "So, couldn't we make it whatever we want? Hopefully there's some crossover between fiction and truth here."

— Meg Saligman in Philly Voice, November 13, 2025

“In one way it’s a cozy bank, and another way it is a lot to explore, — Many staircases, many winding paths, a large atrium, the heavens. Don’t forget the heavens are here.”

— Meg Saligman in WHYY, November 13, 2025

We don’t trade in money, we trade in human essence, — So in this bank, we’re going to explore different [questions]. What do we make of our value systems? What do we make of what is truly important to us in life? In no way do we think money is not important, but we do think that’s for other banks to handle … In the ministry, your account is your story. What do you trade in?”

— Meg Saligman in the Philadelphia Inquirer, November 13, 2025

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