Established in 2011, the IAHI supports campus-wide attainment of excellence in research and creative activity in arts and humanities. Its mission includes showcasing and promoting the major intellectual and scholarly contributions that IUPUI faculty members from across disciplines are making in the arts and humanities.

The IUPUI Arts and Humanities Institute supports individual faculty members, groups, and interdisciplinary teams in their pursuit of research and creative activity through grant programs and promoting educational experiences in the arts and humanities in academic curricula across campus. In addition, the IAHI serves as a liaison between IUPUI and the community, fostering ongoing partnerships and ventures that advance arts and humanities endeavors.