Hybridizing arts with efficiency in an Italian government agency

Abstract This paper explores how arts and arts‐based initiatives (ABIs) are embedded in a non‐arts organization with pronounced imprint on efficiency. When two unconnected distant fields of activity coexist collaborate, this is known academia as hybridity. Scholars hybridity interested studying the tension that emerges from blending otherwise coping actions give stability over time. Conversely, studies ABIs have mostly overlooked arising coupling practices efficiency viewed long‐term perspective. To address issue, we conducted process research study government agency strong mindset focus standardized procedures which had decided to promote its collection. The analysis was based semi‐structured interviews, participant observations, archive data focused taken by unit running collection rest agency. Our findings identified types actions, instant enduring can be deployed diverse temporality people different hierarchical positions navigate tensions art being incorporated within