1975 

Foundation of the Berlinische Galerie as a private society for modern art, photography and architecture produced in Berlin.
Berlinische Galerie’s first domicile is a small office in the Schlossstraße, located in Berlin-Charlottenburg. Its exhibitions are held in the Akademie der Künste, the Neue Nationalgalerie and the Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin as well as at the Haus an der Redoute and the Federal Chancellery in Bonn. Its initiator is the art historian Eberhard Roters. 

1978 

Relocation to the former location of the Galerie des 20. Jahrhunderts in the Jebensstraße close to Bahnhof Zoo.

1986 

After the restoration of the Martin-Gropius-Bau the Berlinische Galerie moves to the building’s first floor, gaining exhibition- as well as office space. 

1987 

Due to health issues, Eberhard Roters resigns his position. Jörn Merkert becomes director of the Berlinische Galerie.

1989 

In consequence of the fall of the Berlin wall, Berlinische Galerie’s working and collecting assignments expand to the whole, reunified city.

1992 

First bestowal of the “Fred Thieler Award for Painting” by the Berlinische Galerie. The award is donated by its eponym and includes prize money of 30.000 DM.

1994 

In celebration of Eberhard Roter’s 65th birthday, the Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge Prize for unconventional art mediation is being awarded by the state museum in conjunction with the Foundation Preußische Seehandlung for the first time, honouring the initiator of the Berlinische Galerie.

1995

The collection is being transformed into a foundation of public law. Jörn Merkert is being appointed chairman of the Stiftung Berlinische Galerie, Landesmuseum für Moderne Kunst, Fotografie und Architektur by the Senate. Berlinische Galerie’s association changes into a supporting circle of friends of the Berlinische Galerie.

1996 

Initiated by the Berlinische Galerie and endowed by the Senate Offices of Science, Research and Culture, the “Hannah-Höch-Preis” is being awarded for the first time.

1997-1998

Due to extensive restoration work, the Berlinische Galerie has to move out of the Martin-Gropius-Bau. The search for a proper exhibition space begins.

1998-2001

The exhibition “100 Jahre Kunst im Aufbruch” including masterpieces from the collection travels through Europe with stops in Bonn, Grenoble, Valencia, Porto, Budapest and Prague.

1999-2000

The Senate decides to acquire halls on the Schultheiss brewery area in Berlin-Kreuzberg and reconstruct them as exhibition spaces. According to a master plan by Frederick Fisher & Partners Architects and bound by contract to construction works in the amount of 21,1 million DM, the site is supposed to be converted into a museum ready to use. 

2001

On September 27th, the site investment company goes into administration due to insolvency. In coordination with the Senate and the foundation council, the Berlinische Galerie starts searching for alternate locations.

2002

On September 3rd, the Senate settles for the location in the Alte Jakobstraße and decides to quickly start contract negotiations concerning the acquisition and reconstruction of the former glass warehouse with the DIBAG.

2003

Start of the construction works in August.

2004

Handing over on August 10th and official opening of the Berlinische Galerie on October 22nd.

2008

As part of the Month of Photography, the exhibition “Soweit kein Auge reicht” with previously unseen city panoramas from the post-war period commences. With 50.000 visitors, it will be one of the most successful special exhibitions at the new location of the Berlinische Galerie. 

2009

The Berlinische Galerie can now look back on five years in its own building and half a million visitors from all over the world. 
On the occasion of the theme year “20 Jahre Mauerfall”, positions of around 40 internationally renowned contemporary artists are being presented in the exhibition “Berlin 89/09 – Kunst zwischen Spurensuche und Utopie”.

2010

At the end of August, Prof. Jörn Merkert retires after being the museum’s director for 23 years.  
After being Berlinische Galerie’s deputy director for two years, Dr. Thomas Köhler, graduated art historian, takes over the management of the state museum on September 1st.

2011

In April, Berlinische Galerie’s new website is being launched.
In June, a new presentation of the permanent collection called “Kunst in Berlin 1880-1980” is being opened on the museum’s top floor. Built to a design by the Canadian architect David Saik, a chronological tour is being presented on 1.500 sqm.