Public art enhances urban design and the general ambience of an area.  Some local jurisdictions have programs in place to encourage artists to contribute to public art.  The City of Gainesville and the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department extends a call to local artists, citizens, and organizations for the annual Community Excellence Awards.

The Cultural Affairs Department is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).  Selected recipients are presented the awards at an annual recognition ceremony.  One of these awards is the Albert 'Ray' Massey Citizen Volunteer Award instituted in the year 2000 in honor of Massey.  Albert 'Ray' Massey was the former director of the City of Gainesville Recreation and Parks Department.  This award is presented by the Public Recreation and Parks Board to citizens that promote and/or improve recreational activities in the City of Gainesville.

Another award containing four categories is the Star Awards.  The categories are Star Volunteer, Star Good Neighbor, Star Green Business, and the Amy Corpus Lifetime Achievement.  With this award; Individuals, groups, businesses, or organizations are recognized by The Nature Centers Commissions for positive contributions to Gainesville's natural environment.

Individuals that have made significant and sustained contributions through public art may be presented with the Public Art Award by the Gainesville Art in Public Places Trust.  This trust serves as the public art advisory board to the City Commission.

Individuals with significant contributions to the advancement of the arts are selected for the Arts Awards by the Gainesville Cultural Affairs Board.  This board serves as the cultural advisory board to the City Commission.  Categories for this award includes Business Arts, Individual Arts, Emerging Artist, and Lifetime Arts.

Community Excellence Awards recipients are selected on an annual basis.  In conjunction with these selections, an annual call for candidates nominations are sent out to the community of Gainesville, FL in Alachua county.  More information may be obtained from the City of Gainesville's Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department.