Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts

CECA brings both emerging and prominent artists from around the nation to Clarksville each year to present concerts and lectures, work directly with students in master classes and workshops, and introduce innovative ways of making or exploring art. All events offered by CECA are open to the community unless otherwise advertised.

CECA offers over 100 events per year featuring more than 75 guest artists

Click here to visit the Events Calendar

Since 1985, the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA, or "seek-ah") has been providing students, the Clarksville community, and the middle Tennessee region with engaging experiences through the Art + Design, Music, Theatre & Dance, and Creative Writing programs at APSU.

Students work with professor in art classroom

CECA offers experiences in the creative arts year round

From inspiring visiting artist lectures to impressive performances, CECA has something for everyone. All events offered by CECA are free and open to the community unless otherwise advertised.

Events Calendar

Creative Arts Departments at Austin Peay

CECA provides students with access to professional-level artists and arts experiences as well as internships that prepare them for the workplace or graduate school. In addition, CECA provides the talented faculty of the arts departments at APSU with research opportunities to enhance their professional growth.

Department of Art and Design

APSU's art & design program offers studies in drawing, digital media, graphic design, illustration, painting, photography, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, and art education.

Creative Writing minor

As one of the university's largest departments, Languages and Literature offers students small classes and a diverse, experienced faculty including many award-winning teachers.

Student plays with ensemble in Mabry concert hall

Department of Music

The Austin Peay State University Department of Music is an active and highly-visible component of the Clarksville Community. Composed of approximately 180 music majors and 32 full-time and adjunct faculty, the Department of Music is the largest producer of cultural events in the Clarksville area.

Department of Theatre and Dance

Theatre and Dance at Austin Peay offers a world-renowned department, in a state-of-the-art facility, fostering artists, scholars and professionals who positively impact our world.

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APSU's New Gallery starts 2022 with Christina A. West's 'mere mortals'

The New Gallery, with support from The Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts and the Department of Art + Design, is pleased to present mere mortals by Christina A. West to continue an engaging 2021-22 exhibition season.

The Borinqueneer: An APSU student honors military's influence on family and Puerto Rico through his art

Recent APSU art graduate Carlos R. Carpena never met his grandfather, but as a boy growing up in Puerto Rico, he often heard stories about the man and the famous "Borinqueneers."

Artist Paul Rucker to deliver talk about 'Preserve & Protect' pieces

Paul Rucker will talk about his work associated with the "Preserve & Protect" exhibition, currently on display in The New Gallery.