Could AI Assist in Choosing Certification or Diploma Course Among the Many Available?
Written by AI G. Gemini (Artificial Intelligence - Google Genimi)
Edited by a person, Louise Daley
After extensive research into ten different botanical art institutions that offered certificates and diplomas, I gave AI G. Gemini the prompt: Discuss the considerations for choosing a botanical art certificate or diploma. Make a chart for cost, cost of each class, time to complete, and contents of course for the following botanical certificate and diploma courses: Society of Botanical Artist, Chicago Botanic Garden, Denver Botanic Garden, New York Botanic, Royal Botanical Garden, London Art College, Leonie Norton, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden.
Here was Gemini’s response:
Choosing a botanical art program is a bit like gardening itself: you have to decide if you’re looking for a quick-blooming annual (a short certificate) or a long-term perennial (a multi-year diploma).
Whether you're aiming for scientific accuracy to assist researchers or you just want to capture the soul of a peony in watercolor, here is how to weigh your options.
Key Considerations for Your Choice
Before diving into the data, ask yourself these three "grounding" questions:
Scientific vs. Aesthetic: Do you want to learn botanical illustration (scientifically accurate, often including dissections and specific morphology) or botanical art (more focus on composition and personal style)?
The "Distance" Factor: Are you disciplined enough for a 2-year remote course like the SBA, or do you need the physical presence of an instructor to help you with "brush control" in real-time?
Career Goals: If you want to exhibit with major societies (like the ASBA or SBA), a more rigorous, portfolio-based program like NYBG or the SBA Distance Diploma holds significant weight in the industry.
Comparison of the 10 courses created by AI Gemini
A Quick Reality Check
If you are a total beginner, the SBA might feel like jumping into the deep end of a cold pond. You’d be better off starting with Leonie Norton or the RBGE Certificate to build your "eye" before committing the thousands of dollars and years of time required by the prestige programs like NYBG or Denver.
The price discrepancy is also massive—the New York Botanical Garden is the "Ivy League" price point here. If you are on a budget, London Art College or Leonie Norton offer incredible value for foundational growth without the five-figure price tag.
AI Gemini sounded wise, witty, and poetic in assisting to choose a certification or diploma course among the many available. I was especially impressed when AI Gemini decide to end the conversation by asking me a question:
“Would you like me to help you draft a "pros and cons" list for your top two choices from this chart?”
Well, okay! I gave AI Gemini a new prompt: Draft a "pros and cons" list for certificate courses for Chicago Botanic Garden and Royal Botanical Garden of Edinburgh. Take into consideration that I live in Illinois.
Here was Gemini’s response:
Given your location in Illinois, the choice between these two prestigious programs comes down to a trade-off between physical access and community (Chicago) versus international prestige and rigor (Edinburgh).
Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons tailored to your specific situation.
1. Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG)
The Local Favorite Located in Glencoe, IL, this program is highly accessible if you are in the Chicagoland area or North Shore.
Pros
Physical Resource Access: As a student, you can work directly from the Garden’s world-class living collections. Drawing from a live specimen is vastly superior to working from photos.
Networking & Community: You will meet local artists, join a physical cohort, and potentially exhibit your work in the Garden's galleries. This builds a local support system that online courses can't replicate.
Flexibility of Tracks: You can choose between the Traditional Track (scientific accuracy) or the Expressive Track (more artistic/creative freedom), allowing you to pivot if your interests change.
No Application Pressure: It is generally open-enrollment for the certificate, making it less intimidating for beginners than a juried diploma.
Cons
In-Person Commute: If you aren't in the immediate North Suburbs, the commute to Glencoe during Chicago winters or rush hour can be a significant barrier to finishing.
Slower Progression: Because classes are often taken "one-off," it can take several years (up to 7) to accumulate the necessary hours for the certificate.
Less Global Brand Recognition: While highly respected in the Midwest and the US, it may not carry the same "weight" as a British diploma if you intend to exhibit at international shows (like the RHS).
2. Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh (RBGE)
The Gold Standard (Distance Learning) The RBGE offers a world-renowned Distance Learning Diploma that is often considered the peak of botanical education.
Pros
Global Prestige: Holding an RBGE Diploma is an elite credential in the botanical world. It is a signal to galleries and collectors of a professional-level technical mastery.
Rigorous Structure: The program is extremely disciplined. You will learn "The British School" of botanical art—clean, precise, and scientifically exacting.
Time Efficiency: The Distance Learning Diploma is a structured 3-year program (or 6 months for the initial Certificate). It forces a steady pace that prevents the "perpetual student" trap.
Learn from Anywhere: Since it is designed for distance, you can complete the work in your Illinois home on your own schedule without worrying about Lake Shore Drive traffic.
Cons
Isolation: You miss out on the "studio culture." While there are online forums, you won't have an instructor looking over your shoulder to correct your brush grip or water ratio in real-time.
High Entry Barrier: The Diploma is not for beginners. You must submit a portfolio of 8–10 high-quality pieces just to be considered for admission. Most students take the RBGE Certificate first as a "bridge."
Time Intensity: They estimate 18–20 hours of work per week. This is essentially a part-time job. It is much more demanding than the casual pace of most US botanical garden certificates.
Logistical Hurdles: You may deal with time zone differences for tutor feedback and will have to source your own plant specimens (which can be hard in an Illinois winter compared to having a botanical garden at your disposal).
AI Gemini even gave me a chart!
Comparison of Chicago Botanic Garden and RBGE courses for Illinois Residence