This summer, we’re thrilled to spotlight Audrey Pun (ARAD ’25) and celebrate her recent internship at Eli Klein Gallery, a contemporary Asian art gallery in New York City. During her time at the gallery, Audrey gained invaluable experience in the secondary art market, contributing to the promotion of contemporary art and supporting emerging artists through research, studio visits, and event participation.
Let’s dive into her experience and the incredible work she contributed during her time at Eli Klein Gallery!
Could you provide an overview of your current internship and the organization you are working with?
Over the summer, I worked as a Gallery Assistant at the Eli Klein Gallery, a contemporary Asian art gallery in New York City. This experience gave me a unique opportunity to observe the circulation and promotion of contemporary art in the secondary market and how galleries support emerging artists. My work was primarily based in the gallery’s West Village location, interlaced with weekly visits to artist studios and residencies across the city and a sponsored trip to the Hampton Art Fair. These experiences have allowed me to explore the New York art scene thoroughly.
What does a typical day look like during your internship?
My role has been a rich combination of research, creative brainstorming, and hands-on experience. A typical day at the gallery for me usually involved documenting business conversations and artwork inquiries, researching for upcoming exhibitions, scouting artists, and managing the front desk. Interns were tasked with long-term projects that sharpened our research skills while also being trained to handle business conversations with potential clients. Overall, this dynamic blend of responsibilities extensively fueled my interest in learning the diversity of contemporary art, both in its forms and messages, while also helping me develop the vigilance necessary for overseeing gallery operations.
Based on your experience, what guidance would you offer our students seeking internships in the related organization?
Don’t hesitate to reach out to potential connections who could support your future career. Even if some individuals are hesitant or not able to extend their help immediately, treat every interaction as an opportunity to refine your communication and social skills, even in the face of rejection. Having secured this wonderful opportunity at Eli Klein through a personal encounter and consistent follow-up conversations, I obtained an ideal result from the action of reaching out. Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and there are a lot of people who would love to share their experiences and lessons to help you along the way.
How has this internship shaped your understanding of the art industry, and what skills have you found most valuable?
This internship has significantly expanded my understanding of how galleries drive sales in the secondary market, collaborate with auction houses to elevate artists’ market value, and conduct market research to keep track of current trends. One valuable skill that I’ve gained is the ability to navigate both casual and formal business conversations, which requires efficiently mobilizing my art and business analysis skills to provide precise and relevant information to clients.
Audrey Ling Yik Pun (ARAD ’25)
She graduated cum laude from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History. Her passion for arts administration first began in high school during her three-year summer volunteer experience with the New York Philharmonic as the coordinator of the orchestra’s rehearsal and performance schedules, and later as the personal assistant to their music director Jaap van Zweden. During her time at Mount Holyoke, this interest was expanded as she entered the colorful world of visual arts.
To ensure that she has a holistic view of the field, she participated in several independent research projects that range from Asian, Middle Eastern, to North American cultures and across a variety of periods, as well as acquired hands-on experiences such as being an archaeological intern for the Poggio Civitate Project in Tuscany, Italy, which focuses on the ancient Etruscan culture. Throughout the ARAD program, she hopes to turn her focus to the business side of art, thus acquiring administrative skills to bring art to a modern audience as well as valuable global networks.
Arts Administration 
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