Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts

Students on stage during the Spring Dance Rehearsal.
Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts

CECA hosts emerging and prominent artists from around the nation to present public concerts, lectures, and exhibitions, work directly with students in masterclasses and workshops, and introduce innovative ways of making and exploring art. An arts hub in Middle Tennessee, CECA is a vibrant and integral component to the Austin Peay campus and beyond.

Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts

CECA hosts emerging and prominent artists from around the nation to present public concerts, lectures, and exhibitions, work directly with students in masterclasses and workshops, and introduce innovative ways of making and exploring art. An arts hub in Middle Tennessee, CECA is a vibrant and integral component to the Austin Peay campus and beyond.

Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts

CECA hosts emerging and prominent artists from around the nation to present public concerts, lectures, and exhibitions, work directly with students in masterclasses and workshops, and introduce innovative ways of making and exploring art. An arts hub in Middle Tennessee, CECA is a vibrant and integral component to the Austin Peay campus and beyond.

Home » Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts

Enriching Middle Tennessee's Arts & Culture

Since 1985, the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA, pronounced "seek-ah") has been the cultural cornerstone of Austin Peay State University and Middle Tennessee. As a dynamic arts hub, we bring creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence to the Clarksville community and beyond.

85+
Visiting artist annually
100+
Yearly public arts & culture events
4
Major creative disciplines supported

What We Offer

Programs & Events

 

Academic Support

Students work with professor in art classroom
Connect with CECA

All CECA events are free and open to the community unless otherwise noted. Join us in celebrating the arts and fostering creative excellence in Middle Tennessee.

 

View Upcoming Events

Creative Arts Areas at Austin Peay

Student looking at the art displayed in a gallery.
Department of Art + Design

The Department offers comprehensive studies in:

  • Drawing and Painting
  • Digital Media
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration
  • Photography
  • Ceramics
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture
  • Art Education

Explore Art + Design Programs

Stack of books sitting on a table at a book signing event
Creative Writing

Housed in the Department of Languages & Literature, our writing program features:

  • Undergraduate and graduate courses
  • Small, intimate class sizes
  • Internship opportunities
  • Scholarship programs
  • Active creative community

Discover Creative Writing

Student sitting down with his trumbone
Department of Music

A cornerstone of Clarksville's cultural landscape, offering:

  • Performance opportunities
  • Professional training
  • Community engagement
  • Concert series
  • Ensemble experiences

Learn About Music Programs

Students on stage during Spring Dance rehersal
Department of Theatre & Dance

Features state-of-the-art facilities and programs focusing on:

  • Performance arts
  • Technical theatre
  • Dance studies
  • Professional development
  • Community outreach

Explore Theatre & Dance

Latest News

News Feed

View All News
ride-the-cyclone-rehearsal
APSU's production of 'Ride the Cyclone' set for Oct. 22-25

The Department of Theatre & Dance, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will present the musical "Ride the Cyclone" Oct. 22-25 in the Mike and Sara Gotcher Theatre, with Texas-based nonprofit Moxxy Forensic Investigations on-site to share its work identifying the unidentified.

Read More
urban-bush-women-shelter
Dance troupe Urban Bush Women to amplify Black voices at APSU on Oct. 14

Austin Peay State University's Department of Theatre & Dance, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will host the groundbreaking theatrical dance troupe Urban Bush Women for a free public studio performance and masterclass from 10 a.m. to noon on Oct. 14 in the Memorial Health Building's dance studios.

Read More
sharif-bey-portrait
Renowned ceramicist Dr. Sharif Bey to speak at APSU Oct. 15

Austin Peay State University's Department of Art + Design, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, will host sculptor and ceramicist Dr. Sharif Bey, winner of the inaugural Spector Craft Prize, for a free public lecture at 6 p.m. on Oct. 15 in Heydel Hall.

Read More