“I’m hoping that 2014 will be a more peaceful year for the world. On a personal level, I hope to find more time to enjoy the wonderful Cuckmere Valley, where I live, with family and friends, and to complete a book about my life and times in India over several decades. But work comes first! I always feel inspired by the energy and creativity of our staff and students, and my job is to ensure that they continue to thrive in the best university possible, amid challenging times for higher education. It’s a challenge I relish, and one that will continue to be my main focus in 2014.”

Michael Farthing, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sussex

“2014 is the year I hope to see two years’ worth of planning come to fruition with environmental improvements to our side streets, promotion and marketing plans activated and a range of new events to take place in the heart of the city. Personally, I hope to give up smoking in 2014 and cut down on the chocolate!”

Kim Long, City Centre Manager, Chichester

“In 2014 I hope to spend more time enjoying Sussex with my family. I live in Hove but work in Bexhill and people say to me, ‘How do you cope with that A27 commute?’ But I love the journey, travelling across that stunning countryside. As my children get that bit older, I’d like to spend more time exploring – as a visitor rather than a professional – the other great cultural venues that Sussex has to offer. First thing in the New Year I’ll start my cultural trail with a visit to the new Ditchling Museum.”

Stewart Drew, director, De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill

“2014 is the year that I will combine my three loves. In 2011 I took a solo road trip from Miami to New Orleans, and then San Francisco to LA, on the trail of outsider art. The next year me and my film-maker partner Nick Driftwood drove across the Chilean Atacama desert in search of the Chinchurro mummies. In 2013 I made my first film, a documentary about home-grown outsider artist Dave Suit, called 50 Shades Of Suit which, was screened at this year’s CineCity festival. In 2014, Nick and I will take a road trip across the US tracing the mythologies of the American West... and make a movie about it.”

Donna Close, Head of Arts, Brighton & Hove City Council

“2014 is the year I want to swim in the sea all year round. I’ve never got beyond October before but now I’ve bought a bathing cap there will be no stopping me.”

Domenica De Rosa aka crime writer Elly Griffiths, Saltdean
(Dying Fall, Quercus, £7.99)

“2014 is the year that I will visit Brighton Pavilion. In my two years of working at the Fringe, I walk past it twice a day in such a rush, each time thinking, “I really should go in there”. I also plan a final push to persuade my wife to move to Brighton but I reckon the Pavilion visit is probably the more likely of the two. I don’t really believe in New Year’s resolutions otherwise – if I lost any weight I’d disappear. So I just plan to continue making sure Brighton Fringe remains the best festival on the planet... not much then!”

Julian Caddy, managing director, Brighton Fringe

“We are looking forward to an exciting year in 2014. We would like to build on the success of this year’s Summer and Halloween Weeks when visitor numbers increased about 35%. We have scheduled a busy events calendar, including a Dog Fun Day on June 14, The Borde Hill Plant Finders Fair from June 27, cinema and theatre, as well as our usual activities for families during school holidays.”

Andrewjohn and Eleni Stephenson Clarke, Borde Hill Gardens, Haywards Heath

“I’m hoping to see the economic recovery gather pace and the impact be felt right across the city and beyond. I would like to see The Argus working in partnership with even more companies and organisations and helping to add to the prosperity, wellbeing and feel-good factor in Brighton and Hove, and also Sussex. And what about promotion for the Albion?!”

Michael Beard, editor, The Argus, Brighton

“I believe in the quote by Neale Donald Walsch which says, ‘Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone’, so in 2014 I will be challenging myself to learn the high trapeze. It will also be the year my husband and I finally finish renovating our 1820s post office – I’m looking forward to it being a year with no more brick dust! In my professional life at Worthing Theatres, I will be working to continue developing the creative programme and looking to bring more new and exciting work to Worthing, in particular contemporary dance – watch this space!”

Amanda O’Reilly, general manager, Worthing Theatres