NBAC Goddess Gala 2026

About this event

THE EVENT

For one mythic night only, Minerva, Goddess of Art, and Urania, Goddess of Science, will take a road trip from NBAC’s Sauget campus to Cherokee Street. These 150-year-old, 9-foot-tall beauties adorned the St. Louis Mutual Life Insurance Company Building, built in 1872 at 6th & Locust streets. They embody NBAC’s approach to preservation as a balance of art and science.

Music by jazz ensemble Playadors and bites by Fattened Caf and Dad’s Cookies will set the stage for an evening devoted to preservation and the future. Emcee Sarah Fenske and NBAC leadership will share a vision for transforming the post-industrial campus into a nationally recognized museum and building arts research center.

Artist Elysia Mann will live-print limited edition artworks honoring Minerva and Urania. Purchase a print and cast your vote in a preservation experiment: which goddess is preserved in her time worn patina, and which is restored her to former glory? Your offering helps determine how these goddesses enter their next 150 years.

WHAT TO KNOW

Tickets include food, drinks, and admission to a special NBAC campus open house on Saturday, November 14. Proceeds support NBAC’s mission to preserve and share America’s built environment, past and future, through its extraordinary collection of architectural artifacts and archives.

It's not your typical gala. Come as you are, or dress to celebrate in sequins and crowns - whatever feels good to you! The goddesses will be holding court outside, so bring a winter coat to pay your respects.

The future is watching us. Make it a night worth remembering.

Purchase your Goddess Gala tickets today: https://web.nationalbuildingarts.org/visit/events/goddess-gala-2026/