FIRST OFF . . .

The eight-year quest of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to raise $80 million to cover renovation and expansion expenses came to a successful conclusion this week, museum officials announced Wednesday. Through the contributions of some 13,000 donors, the $80-million target--set as a goal in October, 1980--marks “an extraordinary milestone in the museum’s history,” according to Daniel Belin, president of the museum’s board of trustees. Museum director Earl A. Powell added that the infusion of funds has “elevated the museum to a new level of prominence and quality.” Among the eight-year drive’s major donors were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Price, Robert O. Anderson, the Japanese Federation of Economic Organizations, Atlantic Richfield Co. and the J. Paul Getty Trust. Since 1980, the museum has added its new Anderson wing, the Pavilion for Japanese Art, a bridge, sculpture gardens, a new auditorium and renovations of and additions to the gallery spaces.