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.

News Feed

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World-renown designer Debbie Millman to give APSU artist lecture

The Department of Art + Design, with support from The Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, is pleased to host award-winning designer and thinker Debbie Millman to continue an incredible 2020-21 CECA Visiting Artist Speaker Series season.

Take a virtual tour 'The Katrina Chronicles' led by the artist, Peter Precourt

You can see the exhibit from the safety of your home in a newly launched 360-degree virtual walk-through that is integrated with an "artist-led" gallery tour.

Katie Hargrave, Meredith Lynn to present 'Over Look/Under Foot' at Austin Peay

The New Gallery, with support from The Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts and the Department of Art + Design, is pleased to present Over Look/Under Foot, a new exhibition by artists Katie Hargrave and Meredith Lynn, to continue an exciting 2020-2021 exhibition season.