Art polemicist Dave Hickey writes in the latest issue of Art in America, “High culture reminds us that we are alone, not that virtuous, and bound to die.” But it seems that many in the visual art world disagree with that statement, banding together over the past few weeks for a series of charity events that have raised money for and drawn attention to a cavalcade of causes.

At the end of last month, the Children’s Museum of the Arts held its fifth annual art auction at Phillips de Pury and Company, selling off art works to benefit its outreach programs targeting underserved children. Among the works up for bid were pieces by Mark di Suvero, John Waters, William Wegman, and Andy Warhol, among others, which were snapped up by patrons hoping to do some good as they added to their collections.

Los Angeles–based alternative space LAXART also jumped in on the charity action on Nov. 15, packing its Culver City location to the brim with supporters ready to support the organization and bid in a silent auction of works that included pieces by Mark Bradford, Guyton\Walker, and Sterling Ruby. Guests at the party included such luminaries as gallerist Shaun Regen, artist Edgar Arceneaux, and curator Shamim Momin.

The American Folk Art Museum had staged its own benefit a few days before, organizing its annual fundraising party at the Tribeca Rooftop in downtown Manhattan in celebration of Advocates for the Arts. Award winners at the fest included architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, Dorothy Lichtenstein, and financier (and Uma Thurman fiancé) Arpad Busson. The evening raised $584,380, which will support the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.

Last but not least, the Coalition for the Homeless mounted its 15th annual ArtWalk NY, a charity auction that helps to fund its programs supporting the 36,000 New Yorkers, including 16,000 children, who every night sleep in emergency shelters in the city. Event chairs Richard Gere, Alec Baldwin, and Carey Lowell were on hand, greeting the donors who helped raise $650,000 for the charity, the most successful event in the group’s history.

The art world’s recent charitable performances have defied not only the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression but also Hickey's pessimistic pronouncements. Sometimes, it seems, high art can bring people together.

Click the photo gallery to see highlights from recent art charity events.