Founded in 1696, the Akademie der Künste in Berlin, is one of the oldest cultural institutes in Europe. It is an international community of artists and has a current total of more than 396 members in its six Sections (Visual Arts, Architecture, Music, Literature, Performing Arts, Film and Media Arts). The Akademie der Künste is an exhibition and event location, a meeting place for artists and people interested in the arts, where public debates on art and cultural policy take place.