​Honouring a Tradition. Inspiring a Future.

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At The Thinking Fund, we proudly see ourselves and those who support us as modern-day patrons of creativity.

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What Is Patronage?

 

Patronage is the age-old tradition of supporting the arts, ideas, and individuals who shape culture. From the Renaissance to today, patrons have stood behind great thinkers, artists, designers, and dreamers not just with funding, but with belief.

 

Think of the Medicis in Florence, who supported visionaries like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Or the literary salons of Paris, where writers and poets were given room to grow.

 

Patronage is what allowed genius to flourish, not in isolation, but through community and trust.

 

Patrons don't just fund projects. They create the conditions for creativity to thrive.

 

Why Patronage Matters Now

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In today’s world especially in countries like South Africa creativity often takes a back seat to survival.

 

Budgets are tight. Arts programs are cut. Young talent is overlooked. And yet, creative thinking is the skill most needed to navigate uncertainty, reimagine systems, and solve tomorrow’s problems.

 

This is where you come in.

 

When you support The Thinking Fund, you become a patron of possibility someone who chooses to stand behind the dreamers, the doers, the creators, and the change-makers.

 

• You’re not just donating

• You’re not just attending

• You’re believing in futures that haven’t been written yet

 

Our Take on Patronage

 

We believe that patronage isn’t just for the wealthy or elite. Anyone can be a patron of a young artist, a community educator, a rural school, or a first-time creative thinker discovering their voice.

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• Sponsor a bursary and give someone access to creative education.

• Fund a workshop in a rural town and light a spark where it’s least expected.

• Host a SLICE event and open a space for diverse voices to be heard.
   

In doing so, you honour a rich global tradition and help us rewrite it for a more inclusive, more creative South Africa.

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Join our Academy

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At The Thinking Academy, we believe that access to high-quality thinking tools should never be limited by financial barriers. If you're a curious, motivated student who wants to grow in confidence, creativity, and critical thinking - but can't currently afford to attend you're not alone.

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Join our list of prospective students and let us know you're interested. As funding, sponsorships, and scholarship opportunities become available, we’ll reach out and keep you in the loop.

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You have potential. We want to help you unlock it.

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