OUR HISTORY
The Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) has been a catalyst for community transformation and sustainable development for over six decades. Founded on the belief that every person has the capacity to shape their community, ICA has championed participatory methods, social innovation, and environmental justice locally and globally. From pioneering facilitation tools to advancing equitable climate action, ICA continues to empower communities to take charge of their future.
As a symbol of the ICA, the wedge blade represents a movement of people willing to wedge themselves into history on behalf of radical care for the Earth.The line at the center represents the line between the no longer and the not yet. The outer circle represents efforts toward positive social change on behalf of the world. ​​The two halves of the circle symbolize the past and the future.​ICA stands in the center in order to facilitate a transition, both honoring the past and building consensus for future change.​
OUR TIMELINE
2022
ToP trainings begin to reopen in in-person settings little by little as a myriad of trainings and virtual settings thrive alongside
2020
In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, ICA-USA and its ToP trainers adapted to an exclusively virtual environment where The Methods were preserved and delivered according to Global and immediate-community needs.
2017
Out and About Uptown’s Coast series begins.
Uptown’s Coastal Zone community planning process funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Coastal Management Program.
"MY SOUL CRIES OUT: STOP!" special performance at ICA GreenRise.
ICA GreenRise recognized as a member of the Retrofit Chicago Mayor’s Leadership Circle for Outstanding Energy Efficiency Achievement.
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ISEIF Toolkit Published.
Accelerate Climate Action Network launches: ToP Network and ICA organize events in seven cities as part of a national collaboration to accelerate climate action and celebrate Town Meetings ‘76.
ICAI launches Aids-Free Community Toolbox.
​54 ICA colleagues celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the International Human Development Projects (HDPs).
2018
ICA-USA launches new website.
​Technology of Participation (ToP) facilitation courses move to a new pricing system where course fees are tiered depending on the participant’s organization type, making ToP training more accessible to students, small nonprofits, and community groups.
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Conversations on Social Justice series spotlights immigration, housing, and equitable development.
2016
ICA hosts the Midwest site of the Integrated Network for Social Sustainability (INSS) Conference; showcases CSLN.
ICAs regional conferences: East Africa, West Africa, Europe, Asia/Australia, N/S America
Stone Soup Cooperative moves into ICA GreenRise into an eco-friendly renovated space.
2015
Ted Wysocki becomes new CEO.
ICA and CSLN awarded ISEIF grant for smart grid education. CSLN holds first city roundtable with Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Chicago. ​
​Faith and Sustainability forum brings over 85 participants from communities across the Chicagoland area to the ICA GreenRise.
​ICA wins the Illinois Financing Roundtable Excellence Award from Council of Development Finance Agencies, as well as Partner of the Year from Public Allies Chicago.
Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC Chicago) launches its Chicago Plans workshop series, and partners with ICA to co-design and lead the training workshops. ​
East & South Africa ICAs regional conference.
2014
ICA Sustainable September and Solar Launch: 'GreenRise Goes Live,' includes over 30 Uptown organizations, local food trucks, and the showcases our 485 panel solar installation; the second largest in Chicago.
Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network debuts at GreenTown conference.
Is It Just Space? Event at ICA GreenRise.
2013
ICA’s building at 4750 N. Sheridan is renamed as the "ICA GreenRise Building” and is invited to join the City’s "Chicago Retrofit Commercial Buildings Initiative” and, in a separate action, gains official Landmark Status. A major solar energy project is undertaken to self-generate 18% of the building’s electrical use.
Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network (CSLN) is launched in October 2013 by ICA as part of the accelerate77 project. CSLN is a key strategy to bring community leaders together to work collaboratively on a wide variety of sustainability and justice issues.
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​The Future of Chicago’s Energy: Building Community Energy Strategies bridges the gap in dialogue between grassroots community based organizations, resource providers, and policy makers.
2012
ICA serves as the "organizing sponsor” of the Accelerate77 program to identify and connect local community sustainability initiatives in all 77 community areas of Chicago. A city-wide "Share Fair” occurs at Truman College in September showcasing over 100 organizations with more than 400 attending.
240 students from five major Chicago universities are engaged in action-research for the Accelerate77 program throughout the year. Forty interns participate in the Summer Internship Program for ten weeks.
ICA celebrates its 50th Anniversary with 50 events in 50 cities.
2011
"Developing Leaders in a Time of Transition” is launched as an intensive 3-week program of holistic learning whereby students earn 3 hours of academic credit with participating universities. The course combines analysis of systemic issues of a just and equitable society with civic engagement through service learning work in Chicago neighborhoods.
2010
ICA co-sponsors the first of three annual conferences with Oklahoma City University on the themes of "Peace, Poverty, and Planet Earth.”
2009
ICA designed and oversaw approaches for citizen participation for the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, during the "Neighborhood Planning Process” in the aftermath of the devastating flood of 2008.
2008
Staff and colleagues attend ICAI 7th Global Conference on Human Development:Unlocking the Potential to Create a New World Togetherin Takayama, Japan.
ICA-USA holds Persistence of Poverty Workshops in Chicago, IL, Troy, NY, and Sausalito, CA.
Poverty Conversation workshop held in Washington D.C.
2007
The Living Legacy Event held at ICA-USA's Chicago headquarters honoring staff, associates and faculty and celebrating ICA-USA's 35 year history.
ICA-USA hosts a Think Tank Event to develop strategic plan for the future of ICA-USA.
2006
ICA-USA restructures closing regional offices around the country.
2005
ICA-USA hires its first Chief Executive.
2003
ICA-USA marks its 30th anniversary with celebrations in 10 cities and a Celebration Symposium in Chicago.
2002
ICA-USA launched a 2 year Capacity Building Campaign for $300,000.
2001
ICA-USA launched a 2 year Capacity Building Campaign for $300,000.
2000
ICA-USA hosts the ICA International ConferenceThe Millennium Connectionin Denver.
1996
ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International Conference on The Rise of Civil Society in the 21st Century in Cairo, Egypt.
Publication of ICA-USA's first CD-ROM version of its archival resources and research.
1995
First International ToP® Training of Trainers program for thirteen countries held in the U.S.A.
Technology of Participation (ToP®) registered as ICA trademark.
1994
ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International's Conference in India.
1993
ICA-USA starts a National Partnership program to develop the Field of Community Youth Development.
USA/Mexico Border Neighborhoods Programs begin.
1975
ICA-USA launches 24 Human Development Projects, one in each global time zone.
1985-93
ICA-USA publishes books on successful rural development, facilitation methods and case studies of business transformation and effective local government.
1992
ICA-USA launches a partnership program with the Council of Energy Resource Tribes and the Arizona Leadership Academy.
1991
ToP® Trainers Network formed.
1990
ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International Conference in Taiwan.
International Association of Facilitators formed by former ICA-USA staff members and others.
1989
Spanish language and Native American programs begin in the U.S.A.
1988
ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International Conference on Our Common Futureheld in Mexico.
Earthwise Learning Series begins.
1984-88
ICA-USA reorganizes their international development projects; from those projects 32 autonomous national ICAs are created around the globe.
1986
Technology of Participation (ToP®) Training Program series begins in USA.
ICA-USA staff and colleagues attend ICA International Conference held in Spain.
1985
Food For All Partnership begins in the U.S.A.
1982-85
ICA-USA and United Nations organizations co-sponsor Fifty-five nation International Exposition of Rural Development, with a Plenary Conference held in India in 1984.
1977
ICA-USA International formed in Belgium and Secretariat established.
1976
First Village Development Replication Plan initiated in India, followed by other nations.
Eight-week Human Development Training Institutes begin around the world.
1976-77
ICA-USA holds over 5,000 Town Meeting 76 local community planning forums as part of the USA Bicentennial Celebration, with at least one in every county of the United States.
1973
ICA-USA incorporates as separate entity from the Ecumenical Institute.
1972
Strategic Planning seminars for the business community are held in the U.S. and around the world.
1971
First of a series of annual Global Research Assemblies begins.
1969
First International Training Institute is held in Singapore.
ICA-USA opens its first international and national offices outside Chicago, IL.
1968
The Institute's intensive 13-week training program, The Academy, begins in Chicago.
First Rite of Passage program held for children of Institute staff.
1963
The first community development project, Fifth City, begins locally in the neighborhood surrounding the Ecumenical Institute.
1962
The Ecumenical Institute, the founding organization of ICA-USA, establishes operations on Chicago's West Side.
4750 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60640773 769 6363 x 335