Mark Macken debuted in his father's furniture company and received a degree at the Academy of Leuven and at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Antwerp. In 1934 he passed an admission test at the National Higher Institute of Fine Arts in Antwerp. In 1937 he obtained the diploma of drawing teacher. 

Mark Macken was nominated as a teacher of ornamental arts at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts on 28 May 1941 by the Dendermonde Ship College. He was also a sign teacher at Dendermonde Rijksdoelbare Jongensschool.

On May 19, 1943, Macken was detained by the German government. Between 1943 and 1945, he was deported to Germany as a political prisoner.

On December 5, 1946, Macken was appointed as a teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. He served as director from 1962 until his death.