During my time at the Faber residency, I was working on current research exploring the management and common interests between parks and museums as cultural institutions. I am interested in what these institutions can tell us about cultural policies of localities.

I met up with Xevi Collell, from Olot City Council who took me to the top of Volcà del Montsacopa and told me about the plans for l’Espai Cràter – a new museum that will be also a park. L’Espai Cràter will provide a new green space which connects the city and the volcano, literally and metaphorically. The museum aims not just to engage visitors in the history and geology of volcanos, but to activate a space for discussion and debate, participation and enrichment for people of Olot. It will not simply display knowledge but rather will become the host for new knowledge-making and social innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration amongst scientists, artists, craftspeople, educationalists, policy makers and the general public.

Unlike previous models established in the C19, this museum will act more like a park, where, as my research argues, different forms of assembly and exchange are encouraged and multiple forms of participation can overlap. It also reflects the identity and values of Olot that I observed as a resident: the love of landscape and environment, tolerance of diversity, sense of autonomy and respect for local culture. I’m grateful to Xevi for giving this wider perspective.