Does modern patronage still exist in Singapore?

[James_cz]

Hello,

I have a somewhat unusual question.

I am from the Czech Republic and lately I have been wondering whether something like patronage still exists in the modern world — especially in places like Singapore.

I do not mean charity or begging. I mean the old idea that sometimes a successful or wealthy person decides to support somebody simply because they see something meaningful, unusual or promising in them and in the direction they are trying to follow in life.

I work in education and have spent many years around martial arts, psychology, discipline and personal development. Lately I have been thinking about whether there are still people who genuinely enjoy supporting someone's path — through guidance, opportunity, support, or helping somebody build a different future.

History was full of patrons who supported philosophers, artists, teachers and people with vision. Maybe that mindset has completely disappeared today — or maybe not.

So instead of pretending or hiding the question, I decided to ask directly.

If this way of thinking speaks to anyone here, or if somebody knows a person who might understand this idea, feel free to send me a private message.

James / Ivan

[PNGMK]

It does. People still commission art, books, designs. Even middle class people do it. Much rarer would be the someone locking in an exceptional talent under their exclusive patronage (like Michaelangelo and the Medici and Pope). You effectively see a form of this now in science and university chairs. For example I worked with Prof Avi Loeb at Harvard and he is a tenured professor who has backing from a billionaire I know and other wealthy groups. This allows him independent research separately to his university role.

I also worked with the Peace Innovation Lab at Stanford. They were sponsored by some govt programs and Mark and Margarita (the founders) survive on that patronage today.

Another friend Kevin Conrad is independently wealthy but runs a rainforest preservation effort (www.cfrn.org) and has patronage from entrepreneurs (think of people with extreme wealth).

An interesting question. Patronage definitely still exists but we don't call it that now.

Specific to Singapore I can't think of any examples quickly. Asians tend to be a bit tighter with their money. What I will say is that finding and maintaining patronage takes serious effort and application.

[malcontent]

Asian cultures (especially Chinese and Indian) tend to prioritize wealth preservation in a dynastic sense. They don’t just think about their immediate offspring, they think about an enduring legacy through many generations to come.

As a result, even those with substantial wealth often do not think they can afford to spend or give much away because it’s earmarked for dozens of future grand children, great grandchildren and great-great grand children, etc.