Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota’s living museum, has again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, as well as funders, outside agencies, government and to the museum-going public. Selby Gardens was initially accredited in 2007. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status. Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, some 1,070 are currently accredited. Selby Gardens is one of 183 museums accredited in Florida. Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, and then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens