Art was a lifelong Westerner, Museum professional, advocate, mentor, supporter and friend to museums throughout the country. Receiving his BA from the University of Nebraska and MA from the University of Arizona, Art joined the staff of the School of American Research (Santa Fe, NM) as the first Curator of the Indian Arts Fund Collection. From there, Art was the Director of the Millicent Rogers Museum (Taos, NM) and from there to director positions at the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society (Las Vegas, NV), The Museum of the Rockies (Bozeman, MT), the High Desert Museum (Bend, OR), the Museum of Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, AZ), and founding director of the National Atomic Testing Museum (Las Vegas, NV).

During his years in New Mexico, Art served as a board member of the Southwestern Association on Indian Art (Santa Fe Indian Market) and the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities and was a past President of the New Mexico Association of Museums. He served on the Zuni Museum Advisory Board and was a consultant and advisor to many New Mexican Native American communities. 

Art was an active member of NMAM and provided monetary and mentorship support throughout his distinguished career. After his passing the NMAM Board created the Art Wolf Professional Development Fund in honor of his dedication to the museum field.