Chapman was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and played his first hockey with the
Winnipeg Seniors in 1924. In 1925 Chapman joined the
Port Arthur Bearcats and helped them win the
Allan Cup in 1926. He turned pro with the
Springfield Indians of the Canadian-American League in 1927, and was sold to the Boston Bruins in 1928. In 1933 Chapman joined the
New York Americans in 1933. Chapman retired from playing hockey after the 1939–40 season, and went on to serve as head coach of the New York Americans from 1940 to 1942, the
Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League from 1943 to 1945, and the
Vancouver Canucks of the WHL from 1957 to 1958. He became General Manager of the Dunn-Edwards Western Show Corporation and promoted shows in Long Beach, California, for the Long Beach area.
1937 All-Star Game Chapman played on the first line with
Lorne Carr. In 1935–36 with Art leading in assist and rookie
Dave "Sweeney" Schriner with the most goals, went on to do the same in the 1936-37 season. Both Art and Sweeny played in the second All-Star game in NHL history in 1937 (NHL.com) Image:ArtChapman1937All-StarGameBack.png|1937–38 V356 Worldwide Gum Trading Card ==Awards and achievements==