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Bill Summary · SB 922

Summary of SB 922 (Session 2025) – Fund International Black Theatre Festival (North Carolina)

Purpose and Intent

  • This bill authorizes the appropriation of funds to support the planning and operations of the International Black Theatre Festival to be held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in July and August 2026.
  • The primary aim is to provide financial backing for cultural programming and related festival activities.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Appropriation of Funds:
    • From the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM), the bill allocates $200,000 in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • Directed Grant:
    • The $200,000 is designated as a directed grant to the City of Winston-Salem.
  • Use of Funds:
    • The funds are to be used for planning and costs to support operations and cultural programming associated with the International Black Theatre Festival.
  • Timing and Scope:
    • The festival is scheduled for July and August 2026 in Winston-Salem.
  • Effective Date:
    • The act becomes effective on July 1, 2026.

Who/What is Affected

  • State Government:
    • OSBM administers the transfer of a nonrecurring $200,000 grant.
  • City of Winston-Salem:
    • Receives a directed grant to fund festival planning, operations, and cultural programming.
  • Festival Stakeholders:
    • International Black Theatre Festival organizers, participants, local cultural institutions, and the Winston-Salem community will be impacted through funding support.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Funding Window: Nonrecurring funds are dedicated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, specifically for the 2026 festival.
  • Effective Date: The bill becomes law on July 1, 2026.
  • Legislative Status: Filed April 29, 2026; primary sponsor Senator Lowe, with co-sponsor Senator Paul Lowe. (Note: The short title indicates the bill is public.)

Potential Impact (High Level)

  • Provides a dedicated state-level financial contribution to support a major cultural event focused on Black theatre.
  • Aims to enable planning and programming that could enhance the festival’s reach, operations, and community impact in Winston-Salem.
  • The nonrecurring nature of the funding implies a one-time infusion for the 2026 festival year, with no explicit continuing appropriation indicated in the bill.

If you’d like, I can add context on how similar state-funded festival grants have been implemented in North Carolina or provide a comparison with other cultural funding mechanisms.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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