History

Our history

In the late 1980s, a small but determined group of Asian and Asian American students at IU Bloomington began organizing around the idea of a student-centered space that would celebrate Asian cultures and support Asian and Asian American experiences on campus. Their efforts grew in the early 1990s, pushed along by student organizations such as the Asian American Association, which held campus-wide events such as the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration and “Taste of Asia,” which drew hundreds of participants from the IU and Bloomington communities.

Through petitions, proposals, and coalition-building with faculty, staff, and other cultural centers, these students pushed the university to recognize the needs of Asian and Asian American students and to invest in a dedicated center. After years of advocacy, Indiana University opened the Asian Culture Center on October 3, 1998, at the corner of 10th Street and Woodlawn Avenue, making it the first Asian culture center in the Midwest.

Today, the ACC continues to serve as a home away from home for Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students and a gathering place for anyone interested in learning more about the history and contemporary issues affecting people of Asian heritage in the U.S. Through programs, leadership opportunities, and partnerships across campus and the community, the center advances dialogue, builds coalitions, and works toward a more inclusive and equitable IU Bloomington.

Timeline highlights

  • 1988: IU Bloomington students begin articulating a vision for a student-based center to promote Asian cultures and support Asian and Asian American students. 
  • Early 1990s: Asian American Association and other student groups organize events, including the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration and “Taste of Asia,” raising visibility for Asian and Asian American issues on campus. 
  • Mid1990s (1996–1997): Student leaders draft formal proposals and demands calling for an Asian culture center and Asian American Studies, building coalitions with other student activists. 
  • October 3, 1998: The Asian Culture Center officially opens at IU Bloomington, becoming the first Asian culture center in the Midwest  
  • Late 1990s–early 2000s: The ACC launches signature programs such as “Over a Cup of Tea,” “Monday Table Topics,” and “Who are Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders?” dialogues and several student development workshops and supports the formation of Asian alumni, faculty, and staff networks. 
  • 2008: Indiana University establishes the Asian American Studies Program, building on the foundation of student activism and institutional support connected to the ACC. 
  • 2018–2019: The ACC marks its 20th anniversary with public programs and reflections on the history of Asian American activism at IU. 
  • 2020: The ACC spearheaded the establishment of the Asian Pacific American Thematic Community in Elkin 1, Teter. 
  • 2023 : The center celebrates its 25th anniversary, reaffirming its mission to be a welcoming home and a catalyst for learning, advocacy, and community for Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American students and their allies.