NCI History

The Nationalities Council of Indiana (NCI) began as a sub-committee of ​The International Center in 1973.
In 1976 the Nationalities Council and The International Center hosted the first Indy International Festival
to celebrate the ethnic communities that were part of the Council at that time and showcase their contributions to the culture,
​history and economy of Indiana. In the mid-1980’s, the Nationalities Council became a separately incorporated nonprofit entity
and assumed sole responsibility for the annual Indy International Festival. Today, over 30 ethnic and
cultural organizations belong to the Nationalities Council of Indiana.

​According to its by-laws, NCI is a nonprofit whose mission is…

• to provide a structure for organizing and promoting cultural and ethnic activities
• to promote and increase communication and cultural exchange across ethnic and racial lines among people of all nationalities, races, and cultures; and
• to support the cultural and ethnic activities of its member groups and other cultural and ethnic organizations

To support our mission the Nationalities Council hosts the annual Indy International Festival, our signature event and largest community outreach program.

Annual School Field Trip

Beginning as a college organization and continuing its educational reach, Indy International Festival has been a well-attended event for schoolchildren during our weekday hours. Contact us to schedule your classroom's participation at the next celebration!

Volunteers

The festival welcomes volunteers from all walks of life. Sororities and Fraternities, Senior Centers, Mom Groups. Dad Groups. Friend Groups.  We accept them all! And we need all the help we can get! Looking for event staff, fundraisers, and planning committee members.
​Join our Street Team today!

Sponsors

We couldn't do what we do without our sponsors! It's truly a remarkable view to sit around a table and plan a cultural melting pot with groups of diverse people.
​Be part of the growth of
​Indiana's international scene.
View our Sponsorship Opportunities.

Bringing the Community Together

The Nationalities Council is a non-profit, all-volunteer educational foundation comprised of more than 30 ethnic or national affinity organizations plus other groups, corporations and individuals interested in celebrating Indy’s diversity. Since 1976, the Nationalities Council’s annual International Festival, held each fall, has been a popular “Celebration of Diversity” that introduces thousands of schoolchildren and adults to the wide range of Indy’s culinary, historical, social, ethnic and linguistic heritage. The Council has worked to increase the visibility of and participation by ethnic groups in the community life of central Indiana.