The Indiana University Asian Culture Center, the first establishment of its kind in the Midwest, opened its doors in 1998 after a decade of community activism led by student initiatives.

The idea for a dedicated Asian culture center began in 1987 with the founding of the Asian American Student Association (now the Asian American Association). In the early 1990s, the AAA brought more attention to the rich diversity of Asian cultures through the Indiana Asian American Conference and the first Asian American Heritage Month at IU (now Asian Pacific American Heritage Month), two traditions that continue today.

The AAA created a momentum of political involvement on campus that culminated in the formation of the Asian Student Union, a body that brought together 18 Asian student organizations working together toward common goals, in 1996. AAA President Joon Park wrote a proposal for the establishment of an Asian Culture Center in the summer of 1996, which was approved by Chancellor Ken Gros Louis in 1997. Since 1998, the ACC has also expanded their scope to partner with the Asian Alumni Association.

Operating under the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs, the goals of the ACC include promoting diversity, unifying the Asian community at IUB, and working as a voice for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The Center works to raise awareness about Asian experiences and issues through advocacy, cultural and educational support, community outreach, and funding and award opportunities. They also offer a wide range of year-round programs that address history, culture, language, identity, and racism that aim to facilitate dialogue and cultural understanding within the wider IU community.