Ada Shehu – Blog Post
My internship experience has taken place at a contemporary art gallery distinguished by a strong curatorial program and a diverse exhibition calendar that engages distinct, targeted audiences. Beyond exhibitions, the gallery functions as an interdisciplinary cultural space, featuring a performance stage that hosts live artistic expressions across multiple disciplines. During my time here, the gallery has presented a wide range of performances, screenings, and interdisciplinary artistic events, creating a multifaceted cultural environment that has significantly expanded my professional perspective and understanding of cross-disciplinary artistic production.
My role within the gallery has been both operational and curatorial. I coordinate exhibitions and art shows, assist with curatorial planning and artwork selection, support exhibition installation and layout, manage relationships with artists and clients, and contribute to the gallery’s participation in art fairs. These responsibilities have strengthened my understanding of both curatorial practice and the commercial operations of a contemporary gallery.
One of the most significant milestones of my internship has been my participation in Miami Art Week, where the gallery selected me to represent the institution as an exhibitor and representative. We participated with two booths at SCOPE Art Fair, where I contributed to booth operations, client engagement, sales support, as well as the administrative and logistical management of the gallery’s participation. This experience provided direct exposure to the professional realities of the international art market and offered an intensive, hands-on learning environment that deepened my understanding of both commercial and institutional dynamics.
Following my return to New York, I continued contributing to a new cycle of exhibitions and events, taking an active role in their organization and execution. Alongside my professional responsibilities, I actively engage with the cultural life of the city by visiting museums and galleries, exploring different neighborhoods, and documenting the urban landscape through photography, further enriching my cultural and professional development.
To further strengthen my professional skills, I will be undertaking the Certificate in Art Business at Sotheby’s Institute of Art as part of my Executive Education. This program will provide advanced, structured training in art market practices and institutional frameworks, directly complementing my hands-on experience and supporting my continued professional growth.
At this stage, I feel confident in the depth and quality of the experience I have gained. I am motivated by the responsibilities I am assuming and by the direction of my professional development. Looking ahead, I see this internship and Executive Education as a strong foundation for continued growth within international art institutions, as well as an opportunity to build long-term impact in my future professional path. Ultimately, I aim to return to my home country with stronger expertise and a broader, internationally informed perspective that I can actively contribute to the development of the cultural sector.
