EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
THE HYDE PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL

"Working with Bianca Marks and her team at Marks on Canvas has been a true pleasure. Bianca is an exceptional professional who skillfully balances an empathetic and generative approach to working with artists with delivering on the needs of production partners. She is responsive, focused, and organized. As an arts administrator, she makes so much happen behind the scenes seamlessly. The impact of the artists Bianca works with in Chicago is elevated by her work with them, although she is so good at it that you'd never know. Look behind the curtain and there she is making it happen--my highest compliment!"

Image by Michael Tercha

MACARTHUR FELLOW
ARTIST & ARCHITECT

“Bianca has proven to be an invaluable resource in my artistic pursuits. I engaged her services at a moment when I could no longer stay on top of the volume of interest my work was generating. Artists are increasingly expected to manage every component of their artistic practice, often at the consequence of creative production itself. Bianca's expertise in marketing, promotions, social media and time management have allowed me to more effectively share my work while also helping me regain much needed studio time. She is astute, compassionate, professional and smart. Her background in marketing and passion for art are a perfect combination. I'd highly recommend her services.”

DEPUTY DIRECTOR & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
MCA CHICAGO

“Bianca and her team at Marks on Canvas bring empathy, innovation, and precision in their support of exceptional artists. They go far beyond traditional artist management – they're transformative partners who catalyze opportunities and nurture collaborative communities. Their unique approach isn't just about managing logistics; it's about reimagining how artists and institutions work together. Through their work, they're leaving an indelible mark on Chicago's arts ecosystem.”

VISUAL ARTIST
CO-DIRECTOR & FOUNDER
FLOATING MUSEUM

“There is no Floating Museum without Bianca Marks.” –New City, October 2023

Image by Micheal Sullivan_On The Real Film

DIRECTOR OF EXHIBITIONS & RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
HYDE PARK ART CENTER

“Bianca Marks is a great asset to any artist's studio. She is an agile project manager who knows how to help artists move projects forward with the right amount of diligence and sensitivity. As a curator, I wish every artist had someone like Bianca to assist with communications, deadlines, logistics, and administration so they can focus on making their work. Bianca has done a great job identifying the needs that artists have in their studios and developing her own capacity to fill those gaps.”

Image by Tran Tran
Artworks by William Estrada

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CHIEF CURATOR
ELMHURST ART MUSEUM

“Artists are great at dreaming up ambitious projects but often the logistics of the project, like maintaining communications with vendors, curators, and press, is overwhelming. Bianca has substantial experience working with artists who were able to elevate their practice with her assistance. Her ability to organize logistics, streamline communication, create project timelines, and manage priorities guarantee the successful completion of large-scale artworks and commissions.  I know that when an artist is working with Bianca, she will make sure we keep the project on schedule and any problems that arise will be addressed promptly and she will bring solutions to the table. Every artist who wants to grow their practice – and take advantage of big opportunities that come their way– needs a Bianca!”

CHICAGO’S INAUGURAL POET LAUREATE
INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTIST
EDUCATOR
CO-DIRECTOR, FLOATING MUSEUM

“What is there to say about Bianca and the work of Marks On Canvas. Especially when a damn good job, blk, won't do? For me working with Marks On Canvas has helped me frame my art practice as a sequence of commitments, as opposed to overlapping demands blotting up a calendar. This alone helps me to focus on the art-making. And for me that makes Mark On Canvas essential to the working I am out in these streets doing. ✊🏾”

Image by Sulyiman Stokes

MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST

"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Bianca Marks, the founder and lead of Marks on Canvas, since 2019. Over the years, Bianca has become an essential and deeply valued part of my artistic practice and team—bringing not only administrative expertise, but also thoughtful creative input and strategic support. Her generous spirit and genuine desire to grow foster a professional and caring dynamic that has been foundational to my studio’s development.

As my studio manager, Bianca has enabled me to focus more fully on the creative and conceptual dimensions of my work by expertly managing the behind-the-scenes operations. From liaising with galleries, museums, and curators to overseeing budgets, tracking payments, and organizing tax documentation, her contributions are always precise, consistent, and deeply considered. She takes on each task with care and enthusiasm, constantly seeking ways to evolve and strengthen the practice.

I’m truly grateful for her partnership and the collaborative, ever-growing spirit she brings to everything we do."

Image by Michael Salisbury