The Performing Arts Department was established in July 1987 after the departments of music, dramatic arts, and speech were combined. Richard Nichols served as the head of the Department until 1989; he was succeeded by Clifton Egan.

The curriculum originated in the early days of Clemson College. As early as 1893 cadets were required to give orations as part of their training, but not until 1917-1918 was a course in public speaking offered through the English Department. In 1930 an introductory course in drama was added. In 1964 the Clemson Players dramatic group was founded to foster interest in the dramatic arts. In subsequent years, drama offerings expanded to include directing, theatre history, stagecraft, and set design.

Music, in the form of the cadet band and dance bands, was part of cadet life from the early days of Clemson College. Cadets also took part in the Clemson College Glee and Minstrel Club, which first offered concerts in 1896. These performances were forerunners of the Clemson University Chorus and the performing artists Concert Series programs. In 1946 Hugh McGarity, a composer of the music to the Alma Mater of Clemson University, began his work to establish music education at Clemson. He served as professor of music education until 1968 when John Butler succeeded him. Butler served as head of the Music Department until 1989. Under the leadership of McGarity, Butler, and Bruce Cook, band director and presently Director of the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, the yearly musical offerings included such groups as the Tiger Band, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Chorus, and a variety of professional musical performers.

For additional information on the offerings of the Performing Arts Department and its history, please refer to the Clemson College Record and Catalog of Announcements.