On the Funding Front

Spring has come early to some Austin arts institutions. They've seen lots of green sprouting in their yards the last few months. The symphony, Long Center, and Blanton Museum of Art have all announced high-dollar donations – signs that the long freeze on cultural philanthropy has begun to thaw? Could be.

• The Austin Symphony Orchestra received $1 million – one of the largest single contributions that it has ever received – from Frederick and Marilyn Addy. The donation, which will go into ASO's endowment fund, will underwrite appearances by major guest artists for the symphony's classical concerts.

• The Long Center for the Performing Arts continues to inch closer to its $77 million goal, with another $2.1 million raised by the center between November and January. New center trustee Jeri DeAngelis, executive director of the Austin Chamber Music Center, and her husband pledged $250,000. Nancy and Bob Inman upped their support from $250,000 to $500,000. The Austin Community Foundation contributed $100,000, four anonymous gifts added another $350,000, and more than $222,000 in gifts and pledges came in through the Notable Women fundraising effort organized by Austin businesswoman Vickie Roan.

• The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has given $250,000 to the Blanton Museum of Art to fund a classroom in the Education and Visitor Pavilion of its new two-building complex at MLK and Speedway. The classroom will be dedicated to art activities for children and families. The museum has raised almost $72 million of the new facility's $83.5 million cost.