Marie Selby Botanical Gardens receives trademark for The Living Museum®

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Selby Gardens) announces the receipt of “The Living Museum®” trademark from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The Living Museum® operating model mirrors the operation of art museums by featuring a changing schedule of rotating exhibitions featuring horticultural and garden displays (“Living Art”). Some of the exhibits incorporate more traditional art objects (paintings, prints, sculptures, rare books) in dialogue with the horticultural/garden aspects and nature. The goal of the operating model is to create reasons for new first-time visits and repeat visits from tourists, local residents, and part-time residents.

“We are thrilled to receive this trademark,” says Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Selby Gardens. “Securing this trademark reaffirms our position as a leader among botanical gardens nationwide. We look forward to continuing on the dynamic path set forth by the implementation of the Living Museum® model and will continue to offer innovative, creative, and experiential exhibitions and programs that further our mission.”

Since implementing The Living Museum® model in 2015, Selby Gardens has experienced a 55 percent increase in admissions and membership has increased by 67 percent to nearly 14,000 member households.

In addition to exhibitions, the operating model includes the creation of related events, cultural offerings, and educational programs to embrace key themes through every aspect of what becomes a multi-sensory, interdisciplinary experience. In turn, events, programs, merchandise, food, marketing, and other elements are tied to the special exhibit on view.

One of the key elements of the model is the Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series featuring master artists in the never-before seen context of their relationship to nature at a botanical garden. Selby Gardens recently announced Salvador Dali: Gardens of the Mind as the next exhibition in the series. It is set to open on February 9, 2020. In 2021, Selby Gardens aims to travel our exhibitions to our other botanical gardens across the country.

As a result of revenue generated by The Living Museum® model, Selby Gardens has been able to retire long-term debt to a zero balance, hire two additional botanists, and expand educational programming. Further, new outreach programs for underserved youth in the Sarasota community are in the works. For more information, please contact Lynn Bates at lbates@selby.org or 941-366-5731 Ext. 225.