2008/9/4 Florence Devouard <Anthere9(a)yahoo.com>om>:
The definition of a "mécène" is not so
different from the definition of
a sponsor, though the French article hints that the "mecène" does that
for philanthropic reasons, whilst the sponsor does that for commercial
reasons.
The traditional distinction would be "patron" - you would talk about
so-and-so being the patron of an artist, of Michaelangelo working
under the patronage of the Pope. The patron would gain advantages,
usually prestige, and the artist would gain a living and perhaps
respectability.
But this is a bit archaic - it would seem very strange to use it in a
modern context.
Generally speaking, I'd say "donor" implies it's a simple gift, whilst
"sponsor" suggests they explicitly intend to capitalise on it.
--
- Andrew Gray
andrew.gray(a)dunelm.org.uk