Art, Education & Giving Back
Throughout his career, Hossein Farmani has supported initiatives connecting the arts with public benefit, children’s education, healthcare, and opportunities for underserved communities.
Focus on AIDS
Farmani founded Focus on AIDS in 1987, bringing together artists and photographers to support efforts responding to the AIDS crisis.
Art for New York (2001)
Following the September 11 attacks, Farmani organized Art for New York through Focus on AIDS Foundation in collaboration with Stephen Cohen Gallery. The benefit art and photography auction was held at Butterfields in Los Angeles on October 28, 2001, supporting children affected by the attacks through Mercy Corps.
View original Art for New York artwork · Archival auction document (PDF)
Children Arts Museum
Farmani’s philanthropic involvement includes the Children Arts Museum, supporting opportunities for children to engage with the arts.
Asha Kirana Hospital — Mysore, India
Farmani provided funding for Asha Kirana Hospital in Mysore (Mysuru), India.
Photography Education
Farmani has taught photography in orphanages and underserved neighborhoods in major cities, presenting the medium as both a creative form of expression and a practical commercial skill that can offer pathways to work and entrepreneurship.