The Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA, or "seek-ah") supports various arts experiences through the Art + Design, Creative Writing, Music, and Theatre & Dance programs at Austin Peay State University. Through Submittable, CECA accepts submissions for Zone 3, a literary journal, the Zone 3 Press First Book Award, The New Gallery Residency, and Tennessee's Emerging Creative Writers Contest.

Zone 3, a literary journal 

Zone 3, a literary journal is an annual online magazine dedicated to publishing emerging and established writers. Our journal is run by a wonderful team of students guided by a senior editing team.

All contributors will receive payment for their accepted works. If you have any questions or extenuating circumstances, please contact us at zone3@apsu.edu.

Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry submissions will open August 15 - November 1, 2025. 

Zone 3 Press First Book Award

Zone 3 Press facilitates a First Book Award contest every year, alternating between the genres of poetry and creative nonfiction. This contest is dedicated to emerging writers, and the prize includes $1,000 and publication.

The Zone 3 Press Book Award is currently on hiatus.

Check out Zone 3 on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

The New Gallery Residency

The New Gallery at Austin Peay State University offers space for a newly implemented summer artist-in-residence program. The purpose of the residency/exhibition is to bring outside contemporary artists to Clarksville and the TN Mid-state region and to provide studio space/time for experimentation with new ideas. The New Gallery is a 1,500 square foot white cube gallery with 120 linear feet of wall space with 36 feet of moveable wall space. The New Gallery is generously funded by the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA) and the Department of Art + Design at Austin Peay State University.

The submission deadline is December 15, 2024, and works in all media will be considered.

Check out The New Gallery on Facebook and Instagram.

Tennessee's Emerging Creative Writers Contest

Zone 3 Press and the Creative Writing Program at Austin Peay State University are pleased to announce the inaugural Tennessee's Emerging Creative Writers Contest. This contest is designed to encourage high school creative writers from across the state and foster their growing literary voices.  

Recognition of skill and talent is given at every grade level (9th - 12th). For each 9th, 10th, and 11th grade levels, three Winners across poetry, fiction, and personal essay will be selected. For those in 12th grade, five Finalists will be recognized with two Winners each receiving a $1,500 APSU scholarship! 

All Finalists and Winners will have their works published in Red Mud Review—an anthology of student creative work—and be invited to read at the Zone 3 Writers’ Festival held on the APSU campus April 12, 2025. This year, festival attendees have the opportunity to attend craft talks and readings led by professional writers, participate in generative writing workshops, and meet with APSU creative writing faculty. 

The submission deadline is February 16, 2025, and students are allowed one submission per category. 

Learn more about APSU's Creative Writing Program here.
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Submit to The New Gallery Summer Residency / Solo Exhibition

The New Gallery at Austin Peay State University offers space for a newly implemented summer artist-in-residence program. The purpose of the residency/exhibition is to bring outside contemporary artists to Clarksville and the TN Mid-state region and to provide studio space/time for experimentation with new ideas. The New Gallery is a 1500 square foot white cube gallery with 120 linear feet of wall space with 36 feet of moveable wall space. The New Gallery is generously funded by the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA) and the Department of Art+Design at Austin Peay State University.

The submission deadline is December 15, 2024, and works in all media will be considered.

Eligibility: Artists who live within a 300-mile radius (+/- 10 miles) of Clarksville, TN. Submission materials should demonstrate professional experience and preparedness for a solo exhibition. Artists must be at least 21 years old.


 

Residency Dates: July 14 – August 8, 2025

Exhibition Dates: Aug. 25-Oct. 3, 2025

 

Support: Estimated total package: $7850

Residency:

  • $3500 total paid to artist ($2500 artist fee, $1000 travel/groceries)
  • 24-hour access to the gallery/studio space
  • Housing is provided on campus in APSU’s Visiting Scholar’s residence (5-min walk to gallery/studio). The spacious residence has a full kitchen and laundry.
  • Studio visit(s) with regional curator(s)

 Exhibition:

  • Work with the curator and director of The New Gallery and Hazel Smith Student Research Fellow to design and install an exhibition of new work created during the residency.
  • $1000 ($500 travel for artist return visit, $500 pickup of artwork post-exhibition)

 Other support provided by APSU ($3350)

  • Lodging: The New Gallery will cover the artist's lodging costs while on campus, during the residency, and return visit(s).
  • Exhibition essay: We’ll pair the artist with an arts writer to write an essay for the exhibition Gallery Guide and catalogue.
  • Catalogue: We create a documentary exhibition catalogue for each exhibition via blurb. The artist will receive one hardcover and four softcover copies.
  • Posters and other media: Artist will receive five posters for their archives and will sign five copies for The New Gallery archives

 

Expectations:

  • The artist must be present to meet with the community during two open studio events (1 during Aug. ArtWalk on Aug. 7)
  • Return for a few days (TBD) during the exhibition to conduct:
  •           an evening Artist Lecture as part of the CECA Visiting Artist Speaker Series
  •           afternoon reception/gallery talk
  •           studio visits (or a workshop) with select undergraduate students

 

To apply, please submit the following:

  • Artworks: 20 images and/or videos of artwork
  • A brief bio (max 300 words)
  • Current CV/resume
  • website
  • project description/prospective goals

No application fee. As an artist-centric institution, CECA is covering all administrative costs.

 

Jurying Process:

  • A committee comprised of the Curator/Director of The New Gallery and APSU Art+Design faculty will conduct the first round of jurying to narrow down to the top 10 candidates.
  • A committee comprised of the Director of The New Gallery, APSU Art+Design faculty, the Director of CECA, and an outside curator will conduct a second round of jurying to narrow down to the top 3 candidates.
  • The top 3 candidates will have a one-on-one studio visit via Zoom with the Curator/Director of The New Gallery.
  • Notice of first-round decisions will be by Jan. 17, 2025.
  • Notice of 2nd round decisions will be Jan. 31, 2025
  • Final notification to be made by Feb. 21, 2025


Gallery Layout:

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