June 15, 2022 (New York, NY)—The Board of Directors of Museum Hue has announced Sierra Van Ryck deGroot as Deputy Director, starting June 21, 2022. Following an extensive search, the Board alongside the Executive Director, Stephanie Cunningham selected Van Ryck deGroot to oversee development, communications, programs, and operations of Museum Hue, the leading organization dedicated to advancing Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, and all People of Color in the arts and culture field, with over 400 institutional members, representing cultural and academic institutions across the United States.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sierra Van Ryck deGroot as Museum Hue’s new Deputy Director,” said Stephanie Cunningham, Executive Director of Museum Hue. “Sierra’s expansive experience and excellent reputation in the field as a community builder and arts advocate will make her a great addition to the team. I look forward to working with her to set the vision and strategic future for Museum Hue.” The organization’s significant growth over the past year and support from the Board provides a wonderful foundation upon which will build the next phase of Museum Hue’s service to the museum field nationwide.
With considerable experience in museums, Sierra most recently served as Assistant Director of Education at the Poster House, New York City’s newest design history museum dedicated to the global impact, culture, and design of posters. She led an array of programs, meetings, and events, as well as managed and facilitated educational experiences for students at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels to expand the role of art, design, and museums within and outside of the classroom setting.
Sierra’s vision and contributions to the museum field as part of the National Emerging Museum Professionals Network’s (NEMPN) leadership team for the past two years have also prepared her for this new role. Museum Hue’s offerings will continue to grow and the organization’s commitment to racial equity will thrive with Sierra. During her tenure as co-president of NEMPN she helped to rebrand the organization, reinvigorate the board and its community, pilot new initiatives, strengthen the organization’s presence and stance in the field, advance DEAI efforts and begin the work towards financial sustainability for the organization.
“I am humbled and honored to be joining the Museum Hue team,” said Van Ryck deGroot. “I have been a fan of the extensive and important work that Museum Hue has done for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color museum professionals and the sector as a whole. I am looking forward to contributing to the next chapter of this already accomplished organization.”
Learn more about Sierra:
Sierra Van Ryck deGroot is an arts administrator, museum educator, and museum lover from New Jersey. She has an MSEd in Museum Education with a specialization in Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education. Sierra also received her BA from Seton Hall University, where she is also an alumna of the esteemed Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Program, the oldest servant leadership program in the country to bear Dr. King’s name. She previously worked at Poster House as the Assistant Director of Education, where she led the internship program, facilitated various school programs at the museum, and more. Sierra has also been the former Secretary and Peer Group Liaison for the New York City Museum Educators Roundtable board and one half of the Sierras co-presidential leadership team for the National Emerging Museum Professionals Network board. Outside of the world of museums, Sierra enjoys traveling, eating great food, and hiking with her partner, Raul.