It’s a massive, sprawling concrete maze. If you’ve ever stepped foot on the Evansdale campus at West Virginia University, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The Canady Creative Arts Center—formerly known just as the CAC before a massive donation from the Canady family renamed it—is one of those buildings that feels like it has its own gravity. It isn't just a school. It’s basically a massive, multi-disciplinary engine where opera singers, jazz drummers, potters, and stage actors all collide in the hallways.
Honestly, it’s a bit intimidating at first. The architecture is pure 1960s/70s brutalism, all sharp angles and heavy walls, but once you get inside, that cold exterior totally evaporates. You hear a stray violin tuning up in a practice room. You smell the sawdust from the scene shop where they’re building a set for a Shakespeare play or a contemporary musical. It’s loud. It’s messy. It’s alive.
A Legacy That Goes Way Beyond the Name Change
People in Morgantown still catch themselves calling it "the CAC." That’s fine. But the shift to the Canady Creative Arts Center in 2020 was a big deal because it signaled a massive reinvestment in the arts during a time when a lot of universities were cutting those budgets. The Canady family—specifically Loulie, Valerie, and William Canady—have been the backbone of the arts in this region for decades. Their names are on scholarships and endowments that literally keep the lights on for students who otherwise couldn't afford a reed for their oboe or a tub of oil paint.
The building itself opened its doors back in 1968. Think about that for a second. For over fifty years, every major artistic export from WVU has walked these specific halls. It was designed by the firm C.E. Silling & Associates, and while some people hate the "bunker" aesthetic of that era, there’s a functional reason for it. Sound. Those thick walls aren't just for show; they’re designed to isolate the thumping bass of a percussion ensemble from the delicate acoustics of a piano recital happening thirty feet away. It doesn't always work perfectly—you’ll still hear the occasional phantom trumpet—but that’s part of the charm.
The Venues: Where the Magic Actually Happens
You can’t talk about the Canady Creative Arts Center without talking about the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre. It’s the crown jewel. With about 1,400 seats, it’s large enough to host major touring Broadway shows but intimate enough that you can actually see the sweat on a performer’s face. The acoustics in there? Incredible. I’ve sat in the back row of the balcony for a symphony performance and heard every single note of a flute solo as if the player were standing right next to me.
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Then you have the more specialized spots. The Gladys G. Davis Theatre is where the "real" grit happens. It’s a thrust stage, meaning the audience sits on three sides. If you’re watching a drama there, you’re basically in the room with the characters. It’s uncomfortable in the best way possible. There’s also the Bloch Learning and Performance Hall, which is the go-to for student recitals and smaller chamber groups. It’s bright, it’s airy, and it feels like a place where mistakes are allowed to happen so that greatness can eventually follow.
- The Art Museum of WVU: This is technically part of the complex but sits in its own dedicated space nearby. It’s where the high-brow stuff lives, featuring rotating exhibitions that range from Appalachian folk art to contemporary political photography.
- The Falbo Theatre: A smaller, "black box" style space. This is where the experimental stuff lives. You might see a one-woman show about climate change or a weirdly wonderful avant-garde puppet play.
- The Creative Arts Library: Tucked away inside, it’s a quiet sanctuary filled with sheet music, scripts, and rare recordings. It’s the brain of the operation.
It’s Not Just for Students (And That’s the Point)
A big misconception about the Canady Creative Arts Center is that it’s an ivory tower for "art kids." That’s just wrong. If you live in North Central West Virginia, this is your cultural hub. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra stops by. Famous jazz legends play the main stage. Every year, the school puts on the "Holiday Gala," which is basically a massive variety show that sells out because it’s the most festive thing in town.
The center also houses the Community Music Program. This is huge. It means a ten-year-old kid from Fairmont can come in on a Tuesday evening and take violin lessons from a doctoral student. It blurs the line between "university" and "community." You see retirees taking pottery classes next to 19-year-olds who are stressed about their midterms. That cross-pollination is what makes the building feel less like a school and more like a town square.
The Daily Grind: What You Don’t See
Most people only see the polished version of the Canady Creative Arts Center. They show up at 7:30 PM, buy a program, and watch a performance. But the real soul of the place is what happens at 2:00 AM.
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The practice rooms are legendary. They’re small, windowless boxes lined with acoustic foam, and they are almost never empty. There is a specific kind of dedication required to spend six hours a day in a room the size of a closet, trying to perfect a three-minute Chopin piece. Then there’s the costume shop. It’s a chaotic world of sequins, sewing machines, and industrial steamers. People forget that for every actor on stage, there’s someone who spent forty hours hand-stitching a corset or distressing a pair of boots to make them look "authentic" for a play set in the 1920s.
The art studios are equally intense. The ceramics wing is a mess of clay dust and kilns that run at temperatures hot enough to melt glass. The printmaking lab smells of ink and chemicals. It’s physical labor. People think the arts are "soft," but spend a day hauling canvases or moving grand pianos across a stage and you’ll realize it’s as grueling as any sport.
Why This Place Still Matters in 2026
We live in a world that is increasingly digital and isolated. You can watch any play on YouTube. You can stream any symphony on Spotify. So why do we still need a massive concrete building like the Canady Creative Arts Center?
Because you can't "stream" the feeling of a room falling dead silent right before a soprano hits a high note. You can't replicate the vibration of a pipe organ through your AirPods. There’s a communal energy in a live performance that is literally biological—our heart rates actually synchronize when we watch a live show together. Scientists have studied this. It’s a real thing.
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The center also serves as a critical incubator for Appalachian culture. For too long, the "arts" were seen as something that happened in New York or London. The Canady Creative Arts Center flips that script. It says that West Virginian stories, voices, and visions are worth a $50 million facility. It’s a place where traditional bluegrass can sit right next to a modern dance piece. It’s about dignity and representation.
How to Actually Experience It
If you’re planning a visit, don't just look for the big-ticket items. Sure, go see the touring Broadway show if you have the cash, but the real gems are the student performances. They’re usually dirt cheap—sometimes free—and the energy is through the roof.
Check the "Events" calendar on the WVU College of Creative Arts website. Look for "Guest Artist Series" or "Faculty Recitals." These are world-class performers who happen to be teaching in Morgantown. You’re getting a Carnegie Hall-level performance for the price of a sandwich.
Also, don't be afraid to just walk in during the day. The halls are public. You can wander through the lobby, check out the art galleries, and just soak in the atmosphere. There’s usually a student art sale happening somewhere near the front entrance once a semester—that’s where you find the good stuff for your apartment before the artist becomes famous.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of the Canady Creative Arts Center, you need to be a little proactive. It’s a big place, and it’s easy to miss the best parts if you just follow the crowd.
- Park in the right spot. Don't try to find a spot on the street. Use the short-term lot right in front of the building (Lot 45) or the larger parking garage nearby. After 5:00 PM and on weekends, parking is usually free, but check the signs because the parking enforcement in Morgantown is notoriously ruthless.
- Visit the Art Museum first. It’s right next door. It’s free. It’s quiet. It’s the perfect "appetizer" before you head into a loud concert or a play.
- Get on the mailing list. The best shows sell out fast, especially the limited-run plays in the Davis Theatre. If you aren't on the email list, you'll hear about the "must-see" show three days after it closes.
- Explore the "hidden" galleries. There are often student works displayed in the hallways of the art wing (the northern side of the building). It’s like a free, constantly evolving museum.
- Check the weather. If you're attending a show in the winter, the lobby can get crowded with people shedding heavy coats. Arrive at least 30 minutes early so you aren't stuck in the "coat check" bottleneck right as the curtain rises.
The Canady Creative Arts Center is more than just a collection of theaters and classrooms. It’s a reminder that even in a world obsessed with STEM and "productivity," we still have a desperate, human need to create things that have no purpose other than being beautiful or provocative. It’s the loudest, most creative spot in the state, and honestly, we’re lucky to have it.