The Akademie der Künste, Berlin was founded in 1696 by Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg as an academic institution where members could meet and discuss and share ideas. As early as 1699, the academy served as the arts council to the government and since 1931 has been exclusively tasked with this function. It also represents Germany in the fields of arts and culture, seeks to promote arts and advocate them within the society, to advance national cultural developments and to preserve the national cultural heritage.

The academics branch ultimately developed into the Universität der Künste Berlin of today. The Akademie der Künste offers events and exhibitions in the fields of architecture, fine art, literature, media, music, performing art and others, and their terrace offers a great view of Pariser Platz, overlooking the Brandenburg gate.