The International Council Museum Berggruen Berlin consists of friends of the Berggruen familiy and patrons of the arts. Its aim is to keep the Museum Berggruen - Nationalgalerie - Staatliche Museen zu Berlin world-wide ever-present and alive.

In 1996, upon the invitation of the 'Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz' (Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation), Museum Berggruen - Nationalgalerie was founded in honor of art dealer, art collector, writer and patron Heinz Berggruen (1914-2007) in his hometown Berlin. The neoclassical building opposite Charlottenburg Palace has since housed his internationally significant collection of works by Picasso, Matisse, Klee, and Giacometti, which Heinz Berggruen transferred to the 'Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz' (Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation) in 2000.

The Museum Berggruen, which belongs to the Nationalgalerie in the umbrella organization of 'Staatliche Museen zu Berlin' (National Museums of Berlin), was enthusiastically received by Berlin and the international art world alike. Currently, the museum has been extended with a glass pavilion to encompass the neighboring building and garden. The extension was opened on March 15, 2013.

Founded in 2007, the International Council is linked to the Friends Committee ‚Förderkreis Museum Berggruen Berlin ’, who’s board director is Nicolas Berggruen. Every year in early summer - just before the Art Basel opens its gates - the International Council members from all over the world are invited to meet in Berlin. The next gathering will take place on Friday June 7, 2013.