And we’re in 2026! We’d like to say a happy new year to all our readers. If you’re a regular here you’ll know we start every January with a group feature on thoughts for the year ahead, to whet our appetites for what’s coming up on Croydon’s cultural scene.

We’ve asked twelve* Croydon friends what they are looking forward to in the borough in 2026 and what their new year’s resolutions are. (And on a quick Croydonist note, we are particularly looking forward to celebrating our 10th birthday this May where we are planning a special exhibition – anyway more to come soon on that but now over to our friends…)

Alec Saunders, artist

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

Alec: I am looking forward to a year where Croydon continues to rediscover its confidence. There has been a quiet but real sense of momentum building through our culture, creativity and community. In 2026 I hope we see that energy become more visible and more connected. I am excited by the prospect of more independent spaces finding their footing and more local voices being heard whether that is in music, art, food or grassroots projects. Croydon has always been a place that reinvents itself and I believe the next chapter will be shaped less by grand promises and more by people who care deeply about where they live. I wish to match that energy by larger commissions locally, around the country and internationally. Work that is shaped by Croydon but visible beyond, it feels important not just for individuals but for how the borough is perceived more widely.

Croydonist: Any new year’s resolutions?

Alec: In 2026 I want to make a stronger commitment to showing up more often for what is happening across Croydon. Over the coming months I plan to attend more exhibitions, conversations and creative gatherings where ideas are exchanged in person and connections are strengthened. Simply being there matters and offering support through presence can make a real difference. Community has always been central to my work but balancing that with family life takes care and intention, particularly as my two young daughters remain my priority. I feel incredibly thankful that I am able to share time with them while continuing to make art and see that work reach wider audiences.

Alongside this I want to spend more time painting with the aim of developing a new exhibition about Croydon. Making space for studio work feels just as important as being visible publicly. I want to keep building a way of working that feels healthy and lasting, where home life, creativity and community all sit comfortably alongside one another.

B Atherton, Co-founder, Turf (Croydon’s homegrown arts space)

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

B: In the latter half of 2025, we pulled together to secure another year on Turf’s space in Whitgift. 🎉🪹🌱 We were really moved by the support, advocacy and practical action from so many people to make it happen, with one of our favourite comments being that Turf ‘feels like a home’. After over a decade of temporary spaces, this emphasised just how vital it is to put down permanent, stable roots so we can nurture a home for creativity in Croydon well into the future.

In 2026 we’re doing just that by beginning the process of co-creating a permanent space for Turf – so we’re looking forward to collectively dreaming, scheming & planning where and what a permanent Turf space could be! We started by launching our space advisory committee – ‘Permaculture‘ – just before Christmas. This is a practical group of creatives, building professionals & local dreamers who want to help support and progress these plans. If you want to be involved, get in touch!

Join us, friends of stubborn hope!
We’ll gather close, conspire, believe,
In space that we don’t have to leave,
As those who know that we will thrive
in places firm, not swept aside.
We’ll dream of a home built to last.

On a non-Turfy note, Croydonites continued to bring world-class performances to Croydon last year – we look forward to it every year, as well as what secret spaces will open their doors for Open City.

Croydonist: Any New Year’s resolutions?

B: We hold our public annual review late summer, so all our resolutions are made then! A verrrry brief summary of this year is;

• Dig down: do fewer things better rather than trying to spread everything too thin for deeper, longer term relationships with artists and collaborators.
• Start small: test ideas and collaborations on a small scale first.
• Tidy up: more focused use of our space, access improvements, more comfy furniture!
• Be visible: make sure more people know we’re here and what we do, show more behind the scenes to demystify processes.
• Values first: stability without selling our souls in longer-term funding and partnerships.
• Weird joy: make space for experimentation and things that don’t have to justify themselves!

Norman Mine, artist and founder of Norwood JunkAction

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

Norman: In 2026, I’m really looking forward to working with the Art Department at Croydon College through an artist talk, workshops, and conversations. These will explore sustainability from a community point of view, using Norwood JunkAction as a case study of continuity: a project I initiated that is now entirely community-led.

This also feels like a valuable opportunity to explore ways of involving students more directly, either within Norwood JunkAction or through wider projects in Croydon, connecting their learning to the borough and its people. I think it’s important to recognise that Croydon has an art department with brilliant students and committed teachers, yet there is still so much potential to strengthen the connection between the college, the local area, and the wider cultural landscape. We need more young people involved in shaping the future of Croydon, and I’m excited to explore how these conversations and projects can help build those bridges.

Croydonist: Any new year’s resolutions?

Norman: My New Year’s resolution is to explore a sense of fulfilment that isn’t dependent on external validation, such as specific opportunities or outcomes. I’d also like to do fewer things, more consciously, allowing more time for rest and reset between projects. For me, that feels essential to sustaining both creative work and personal wellbeing in the long term.

Photo: the group that regularly are meeting every Sunday for a communal litter picking

Shaniqua Benjamin, poet and writer

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

Shaniqua: I can’t wait to see Croydon’s cultural offering continue to grow and thrive. The Council’s Culture Team have done a stellar job this year with a ridiculously small team, which is testament to their care for Croydon, but also testament to Croydon’s character of resilience. I know we’ve just said goodbye to the Christmas season, but I’m already looking forward to the next Very Croydon Christmas, because last year’s was so brilliant. We need more of this, but also a lot more for young and more middle-aged adults (I’m not sure where I fit in this age range at 33, so maybe someone could help me out) – hopefully the Surrey Street regeneration will contribute to this.

I’m looking forward to seeing the monthly poetry night The Echo Chamber develop, as it is such a warm, beautiful event run by the warm and wonderful Tiffany. Please come and support, if poetry is your thing. Last of all, I’m planning to FINALLY self-publish a pamphlet of my poetry (I know, it’s been a long time coming), which will be all about Croydon and include some poems from my laureateship.

Croydonist: Any new year’s resolutions?

Shaniqua: I just want to stay balanced, keep building good habits and believe in myself a whole lot more, which probably sounds crazy to a lot of people, but truly believing in myself without a youth platform or laureateship behind me has been tough. I want to see myself through God’s eyes, so that I can constantly believe in the powerful, beautiful and brave woman that I am. I want to say that I am enough and believe it. I want to see the same value in myself that others see. I don’t want to downplay all that I’ve done by instead focusing on what more I could do. Essentially, I want to walk in faith, not fear, so I can step boldly into being the Shaniqua Benjamin I am meant to be.

Oh yeah, and I plan to keep holding myself to account in my writing journey, so that I can bring my projects to fruition. That means self-publishing poetry pamphlets. Starting to write my memoir, and expand the Love Warrior universe for the stage. And of course, making the next round of edits of the non-fiction book I started writing last year.

​​Stephanie Wilson, Head of Culture, Leisure and Libraries, Croydon Council

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

​​Stephanie: Seeing more incredible art and culture in Croydon! We’re partnering with The National Gallery to bring Art On Your Doorstep to Croydon between February and June – an outdoor exhibition of lifesize replicas of paintings from the National Gallery collection. The works will mostly be around Croydon town centre with some also popping up in other parts of the borough.

During 2025 we were able to display paintings from Croydon’s own art collection as part of the Art & Joy exhibition in Croydon Clocktower and with our newly refurbished 1st floor gallery at Museum of Croydon now open we’ll be installing a new display of original works from the borough collection for people to visit alongside the National Gallery exhibition.

Our creative health programme will be continuing in 2026 and the latest round of Croydon Loves You – grant funding for activities which enable Croydonians at risk of health inequalities to participate in creative activities – is open now (see here).

We funded 40 projects during 2025 including creative writing, ceramic workshops, choirs, community gardening, dance, textiles and theatre. I’m really excited to see which projects come forward in 2026.

We’re also working on a project to spotlight and celebrate lesser known stories of Croydon town centre through the ages. Keep an eye on culturecroydon.com and @culturecroydon on Instagram for more details coming soon.

Croydonist: Any new year’s resolutions?

​​Stephanie: I’m aiming to find time to read more books this year, that’s something I really miss when life is very hectic. I’m hoping to make it to Croydon’s new literary salon from East Croydon Cool, Lit Nights, for inspiration.

We are also lucky to have the fabulous David Lean Cinema in Croydon and every month they’re screening films I want to see so I am also resolving to get there more often.

Image by Glenn Foster for Art & Joy, Museum of Croydon

Anna Arthur, co-director of Croydonites Festival of Theatre and Performance

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

Anna: I am looking forward to the return of the Croydonites Fringe in July, followed by an extended trip to Edinburgh where I’ll be working with Katie Hurley to produce her show Man or Bear at Summerhall, then we’ll have the main festival in November. At some point I’ll also have to attend to my day job…

Croydonist: Any new year’s resolutions?

Anna: Usual stuff, drink less, get up at 5am, meditate and do lots of yoga.

Only joking, although I will do Dry January and take it from there. All this new year new you stuff is a bit Gen Z for me (I’m Gen X).

Chantelle D’Souza, artist

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

Chantelle: Over the past year, I’ve felt more connected than ever to my local community. Through hosting painting workshops and displaying my work in local independent businesses across Croydon, I’ve been able to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds in a really meaningful way. One of the highlights was collaborating with Croydon Council on A Very Croydon Christmas, where I created artwork for their newspaper and promotional materials.

Looking ahead, I’d love to build on this momentum by continuing to work closely with local organisations, councils and community groups. There’s something incredibly special about working locally — a shared understanding, mutual support and a genuinely positive energy that comes from creating alongside the people who live and work here. In the year ahead, I hope to deepen those connections and help make creativity even more accessible across Croydon.

Croydonist: Any new year’s resolutions?

Chantelle: I would love to spend more time in Croydon’s natural side by exploring local parks and forests and getting inspired by nature.

Image – Chantelle’s work at Bob’s Your Uncle Cafe in South Croydon

Photo of Tilda Swinton by Peter G Ball

Sam Clark, Chair of the David Lean Cinema

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

Sam: As Chair of the David Lean Cinema, I’m incredibly excited about what 2026 holds for our community venue. We’re looking forward to continuing our mission of bringing the magic of cinema to Croydon, with a diverse programme that spans 35mm classics, international gems, and innovative new releases that might not get a mainstream screening elsewhere.

This year we’re particularly excited about expanding our community partnerships, collaborating with local schools, youth groups and other arts organisations to make cinema more accessible, and engaging for everyone in Croydon.

Another highlight will be strengthening our live events, such as Q&As with actors and directors, themed screenings, and discussions which spark conversation and connection. We’re also exploring ways to improve the ways in which cinema patrons can help us with fund raising through enhanced use of crowdfunding in collaboration with our Patron, Joanna Scanlan.

Above all, 2026 is a year to celebrate cinema’s power to bring people together – and we can’t wait to share that experience with more of you.

Croydonist: Any new year’s resolutions?

Sam: My New Year’s resolution is to introduce more and more of my friends to the delights of Croydon, and in particular, our “small but magnificent” cinema (to borrow a quote from one of our patrons).

John Reeve, Curator, The CLICK CLOCK Art Gallery.

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

John: I’m looking forward to an encouraging 2026 with four major exhibitions already booked.

I anticipate many more bookings from individuals to groups to display their artwork and photography in Croydon’s leading Art Gallery (and to sample the excellent food in the Clocktower Cafe).

The Gallery has had many excellent exhibitions, mainly from over 700 Croydonians over the last 15 years from when I first set up the Gallery.

Croydonist: Any new year’s resolutions?

John: To encourage Croydon’s young people to display their artwork and photography.

Sancha Currie and Rochelle Blackwood, founders of Femme Fatale TV

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

Rochelle: 2026 feels like a defining year for Croydon, and for Femme Fatale TV it’s about moving from momentum to meaningful, visible impact. We’re looking forward to increasing creative activity across the borough — not just as a backdrop, but as a living, breathing hub for women-led culture, media and innovation.

Croydon has always been rich in talent and ideas, and in 2026 we want to amplify that through more local collaborations, community-led programming and accessible creative spaces. From working with local venues and brands to activating public-facing events, our focus is on creating opportunities that genuinely serve the borough and spotlight its voices.

We’re also excited about deepening partnerships that bring Croydon into wider national conversations — including broadcast television opportunities and innovative formats that position the area as a place where new ideas are born, not just consumed. Our aim is to contribute to a creative ecosystem where women, especially those historically underrepresented, can see a future for themselves without having to leave the borough to be seen or heard.

Ultimately, 2026 is about Croydon being recognised not just for its potential, but for what it is actively producing — culture, confidence and change.

Croydonist: Any new year’s resolutions?

Sancha: This year, the resolution isn’t about becoming something new — it’s about fully being who we already are. Inspired by Viola Davis’ reminder to choose authenticity over reinvention, our focus for 2026 is clarity, confidence and truth in how we operate and what we create.

For Femme Fatale TV, that means standing firmly in our values: championing women-led stories, creating platforms that don’t ask women to shrink or soften, and building media that reflects real lives rather than polished stereotypes. Instead of chasing trends or external validation, the intention is to deepen our voice and trust our instincts — creatively, commercially and culturally.

On a practical level, it’s also about intentional growth. Saying yes to projects that align, and no to those that dilute the mission. Protecting the energy of the team, honouring collaboration over competition, and building sustainable structures that allow creativity to thrive without burnout.

If 2025 was about planting seeds, 2026 is about allowing things to grow exactly as they were meant to — unapologetically, visibly and with purpose. Being ourselves, fully, feels like the most radical resolution of all.

Dana Grey, Chair of the Board of Directors, Croydon BID

Croydonist: What are you looking forward to in 2026?

Dana: It certainly feels like Croydon is taking positive steps forward and that the progress is being noticed. The opening of the Allders Parade has added a renewed sense of vibrancy to the High Street along with other notable arrivals including Mr Wong’s Wok & Box, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Lovisa, and renewed investment from Holland & Barrett. There are still significant challenges facing the local economy but I (and the super hard working Croydon BID team) will always look for the positive, so I hope to see Croydon building on the momentum from 2025. I was delighted to read that The Sunday Times has placed Croydon in the Top 20 places to live for those under 35 years of age. Let’s embrace the positivity, build on it and push for even greater success in 2026.”

Croydonist: any New Year’s resolutions?

Dana: Generally, I steer away from making New Years Resolutions but for Croydon, I will make an exception! It’s a simple one really. To do all I can in continuing to support this great place and defend her honour. We are sometimes too quick to focus on the negative that we can miss the positive progress being made. On a personal note, one thing I will try to reduce is my doomscrolling, freeing up more time to support Croydon!

A huge thank you to Alec, B, Norman, Shaniqua, ​​Stephanie, Anna, Chantelle, Sam, John, Sancha, Rochelle and Dana for sharing their thoughts. Wishing you all a very happy 2026.

Keep up to date with us at the Croydonist as we share our favourite bits of our borough over the coming year (as well as our plans for our 10th birthday). You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter here, and/or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

Images: courtesy of the contributors

Posted by Julia

*Because why only ten when you can have twelve! 🙂