Arthur Bridgman Clark was born in Syracuse, New York, on August 11, 1866. He received his Bachelors in Architecture from Syracuse University in 1886 and his MA in 1891. While a student at Syracuse he also enrolled in courses at New York's Art Students League, studying under William Merritt Chase. Following his marriage to artist Hanna Grace Birge, the pair traveled to Paris to study with A.M. Whistler and John Henry Twatchman.

In his postgrad years at Syracuse, Clark taught architecture (1889 to ca. 1892) and designed public buildings and residences on the campus. He also took a position as director of the New York State Reformitory's Trade School, in which, it was later noted, Clark "...contributed much to the success of the Elmira experiement in developing a curative treatement of crime" through applied arts. (Memorial Resolution Arthur B. Clark, Stanford University, 11/02/10.)

Following graduation, Clark took a position as an art instructor at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Between 1896 and 1921 he designed eleven houses for the faculty, including for the president David Starr Jordan and trustee Herbert Hoover. Clark was the founder and first president of the Pacific Arts Association, and was a member of the American Committee for the International Congress of Art Education, the California Art Teahers Association, and the Palo Alto Art Club. He died in Santa Clara on May 15, 1948.

Clark exhibited at the Oakland Art Gallery, 1934; and at various times at Stanford University, which holds several of his works in their permanent collection.