The Experiential Design Index

Golden Anniversary Campus Transformation — Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts

The Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Mann Center), an outdoor performing-arts venue in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, reopened in June 2026 after a campus-wide renovation for its 50th-anniversary season, including a 4,900 sq ft LED storytelling wall (the Satell Centennial Wall East) on the TD Pavilion, a Music Hall of Fame, a Wall of Fame, twelve interactive visitor experiences, campus wayfinding, and a reimagined entrance plaza; Crafted Action led the Experiential Master Plan and exhibit and media design, with architecture by EwingCole, custom fabrication by Art Guild, and AV integration by Electrosonic.

VenueHighmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts
Project typeMajor Renovation
StatusCompleted
Year completed2026
TechnologiesLED display wall, dynamic donor recognition, digital wayfinding

Credits

FirmRoleNote
Crafted Action Master Planning Experiential Master Plan; experience strategy, content strategy, exhibit design, and media development
Crafted Action Exhibit Design
Crafted Action Media Design & Software
EwingCole Architecture
Art Guild, Inc. Fabrication
Electrosonic AV Integration
merje Environmental Graphics & Wayfinding .
urban-sign Environmental Graphics & Wayfinding .

Description

The transformation was funded in part by The Satell Family Foundation and Ed Satell, and included a 42,000 sq ft reimagined entrance plaza. The Philadelphia Art Commission and Signage Commission unanimously approved the LED wall on the condition that it never display advertising.

Sources