History
The International Center was created during U.S. Senator Richard Lugar’s tenure as Mayor of Indianapolis in response to a need to provide interpreters and translators for the NATO Conference of Mayors held in Indianapolis in 1972. Interested citizens believed there was a need to create a permanent entity that would respond to the needs of the city’s international visitors, instill appreciation of our multi-cultural populace, and enhance awareness of international issues.
ICI opened its doors in 1973, at 1050 West 42nd Street in the Holliday Mansion, and quickly became a focal point for international activities, meetings of various nationalities groups, and training classes in foreign languages for adults and children.
Today, the greater Indianapolis region is in the midst of unprecedented change as our population grows through the influx of newcomers from around the world. One hundred and twenty-nine foreign languages other than English are spoken in the homes of Indianapolis Public School students. The foreign-born population has increased almost 100% since 1990, with the greatest increase being in the Hispanic community, followed by increases within the Asian and African communities, and growth in nationalities from throughout the world. Schools, hospitals, public safety departments, businesses and neighborhoods need access to cultural resources, information and referral services, and training to address the multicultural mix of population that is our present and future.
Throughout ICI’s history, it has distinguished itself as THE point of information reference for multi-cultural services in central Indiana, helping all our residents to connect across cultures.