Sierra Van Ryck deGroot
Learning and Engagement in Museums and Cultural Institutions '17
The community at Bank Street, as well as knowing there’s such a wealth of resources here in New York City, has been incredibly important in taking me as far as I have been.
Sierra Van Ryck deGroot is a museum educator, arts administrator, and non-profit professional who currently serves as the Associate Educator of Academic and Research Programs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In her role, Sierra oversees undergraduate and graduate programming, working closely with students to explore how the Met’s vast collection can inspire and educate people outside of the traditional classroom setting.
Her journey toward Bank Street began while she was an intern at the Met, where she met several former Bank Street graduates who encouraged her growth.
Sierra said, “They helped me consider how my experience at the Met as an intern could influence my time at Bank Street. I’m deeply indebted to them for making sure that I got on the right path.”
Throughout these transitions, the Bank Street philosophy remained a constant anchor.
“Being able to learn at Bank Street—in one of the busiest and most incredible cultural cities in the world—meant that there was a world of opportunity to visit, learn from, and intern at museums. We treated them as our own “learning labs,” seeing them not just as visitors but as students. Those experiences have absolutely shaped how I teach my interns now, as well as how I approach museum education as a whole,” Sierra said. “The journey has been really fun, and it’s been nice to have Bank Street be a part of it. I’ve been in contact with Bank Street since graduation, and it has been wonderful to know I still have that support.”
This sense of community has been central to Sierra’s experience. She has stayed close with her cohort, and they frequently collaborate on projects and seek one another’s professional advice. In her current work, Sierra carries forward the values and approaches instilled in her at Bank Street, particularly when advocating for the younger generations entering museum spaces.
“They need the same love and support that we received! This includes mentorship, professional development, and access to educational opportunities that they may not get in the classroom.”
Sierra continues to cultivate the importance of lifelong learning and community-building in her students. When looking back at her time at Bank Street, she encourages all graduate students to lean into the relationships they build during their studies.
“The advice I would give to current Bank Street students would be to make those connections with your peers and classmates, as well as the professors. These were and still are some of my biggest cheerleaders. Our resources and our presence is there, you just have to tap into it.”
Hear more about Sierra’s journey and what she learned at Bank Street.