The Gallery is aiming to raise $25,000 by the end of this month through the new national arts crowd funding website – www.boosted.org.nz – and today, following IAG's contribution, has reached more than half its target.

The money raised through Boosted will be used to ensure more works of art are made available for Populate! – the Gallery's tenth birthday programme – which is being launched on 10 May. Populate! is an extension of the Gallery's award-winning Outer Spaces programme, and aims to bring faces and figures – as well as bursts of humour and strangeness – to the depopulated central city.

Gallery director Jenny Harper says IAG's donation has given the campaign a real boost.

'It is pleasing to have the support of individuals who love art, as well as businesses that want to see more art in Christchurch. People have until 30 April 2013 to make a tax deductible donation to the Gallery's Boosted campaign, with anyone able to give any amount from $5 up.'

The community birthday celebrations will start on 11 May, with artist talks, guided tours of Outer Spaces, a free concert featuring David Kilgour, The Eastern and Delaney Davidson and an 'Imagination Playground' for children. A full schedule of events will be available on the Gallery's website next week.

IAG spokeswoman Renee Walker said they loved the Gallery's idea of bringing more art into the city for its tenth birthday celebrations.

'This is a great opportunity for people to come into the central city and have some fun at a community event.'

To donate to the Gallery's Boosted project visit www.boosted.org.nz