The museum choice. Institutionalization dynamics in the comics field in Italy

The research aims to explore the under-researched world of Italian comics museums by (i) mapping and analyzing the characteristics of Italian comics museums; (ii) comparing them with other comics institutions not defined as museums but relevant in the cultural sector, (iii) understanding the motivations underlying their choice of the organizational form. The article’s methodology is based on the qualitative analysis of ten semi-structured interviews with the directors of Italian comics museums and cultural institutions. Three hybrid models of comics institutions emerge: (a) art museums-like institutions, (b) documentation centers-like institutions and (c) independent magazine-based organizations. The different institutionalized organizations are the results of a drive to legitimize comics as artistic production and follow different paths of isomorphism.