Arthur George "Art" Hickman (June 13, 1886 – January 16, 1930) was a pioneering American musician known for his contributions to the development of jazz and big band music. Born in Oakland, California, Hickman spent much of his life in San Francisco, where he became a prominent figure in the music scene.

Hickman began his career in music as a drummer and pianist, eventually forming a sextet in San Francisco in 1913. The band initially played for the San Francisco Seals baseball team's training camp and later gained popularity performing at the St. Francis Hotel. This success allowed Hickman to expand his ensemble, incorporating a saxophone section, which was innovative at the time.

In 1915, Hickman's band performed at the world's fair in San Francisco, and by 1919, they were hired by Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. to perform at his nightclub in New York City. The following year, they accompanied the Ziegfeld Follies. Hickman's orchestra was known for blending elements of jazz with the big band sound, and his composition "Rose Room" became a standard in the genre.

Despite his achievements, Hickman was ambivalent about the term "jazz," often associating it with African American musicians and sometimes expressing skepticism about its musical value. Nevertheless, his orchestra played a significant role in the early jazz scene, and he is credited with influencing the development of big band music.

Hickman's health declined in the late 1920s due to Banti's syndrome, and he passed away in San Francisco at the age of 43. His legacy includes the album "The San Francisco Sound," which features many of his recordings from 1919 to 1920.