Tony Karman has been active in the civic, business, and cultural communities of Chicago for
nearly 40 years. Working with select institutions, associations, government organizations,
producers of special events, and corporations, he has guided numerous projects from concept to
conclusion. Currently, he is President | Director of EXPO CHICAGO, The International Exposition
of Contemporary & Modern Art at Navy Pier, founded the exposition in 2012.
Originally from Rock Island, Illinois, Karman attended Augustana College and Kansas State
University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He was recently awarded a
Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres from the French Government and an Honorary Doctorate from
Columbia College Chicago.
He has traveled extensively establishing numerous professional alliances and relationships
throughout the world. He is a long-time resident of Chicago, where he lives with his wife Sondra.
Karman currently serves on several civic committees including the Curatorial Advisory Board -
Art on the Mart, Advisory Board - DePaul Art Museum, Board Member - The Magnificent Mile,
National Board for Artadia: The Fund for Art and Dialogue, Board - Chicago Artists Coalition,
Advisory Board - CASE Art Fund and the Chicago Committee of Human Rights Watch Chicago.