The National Gallery of Victoria has launched a fundraising campaign called Masterpieces for Melbourne, in a bid to raise $150 million by the gallery’s 150th birthday in 2011.

NGV director, Dr Gerard Vaughan said the gallery was seeking the support of the community in order to guarantee the future development of the state collection.

“It is only through an ongoing partnership between government and private donors that we can ensure the continued success of the gallery.”

Launching the fundraising appeal, Victoria Premier John Brumby said, “our state gallery has become a great tourist attraction and is high on the agenda of visitors who come to Victoria from interstate and overseas.”

According to Vaughan, the gallery will focus on three key areas for acquisitions; filling the gaps in its historical collections, Asia Pacific and Australian indigenous art and contemporary art from around the world.