The Ayrshire Arts Festival was founded in 1982 following an initiative by Ayr Arts Guild. In the early years, the festival was based on the successful events in Dumfries and Perth, and included cinema, classical music, drama, the visual arts and dance.
The 1984 event was the second festival in the series. The programme catered for a variety of tastes and ages. A popular feature (in both 1983 and 1984) was the concerts provided by Atarah's Band. This group attracted young people from all parts of Ayrshire. The 1984 event included a residency by the Scottish Virtuosi who provided a diverse musical programme including a performance of Handel's Messiah.
Mike Bailey was Programme Director in 1983 and 1984. He provided technical support for visiting groups and designed the publicity material. The Festival logo was designed by Fred Bull.