Tens of thousands of school students across South Australia are benefiting from a unique partnership between resources company BHP Billiton and Carclew Youth Arts, sponsoring a number of new initiatives which will particularly benefit South Australia's young Indigenous and Regional artists.

"BHP Billiton has been supporting youth arts in SA for the past four years and has now agreed to continue for another three, providing a total of $1,450,000 over that period – which is simply wonderful," said Tricia Walton, Carclew's Chief Executive.

BHP Billiton's support will be tied directly to a number of specific projects, with an emphasis on regional South Australia.

"As a resources company we work hard to support our host communities and Carclew has an outstanding reputation for being able to deliver high quality arts projects in these areas," said BHP Billiton's Kym Winter-Dewhirst, Vice President External Affairs.

"It's very heartening to see regional communities benefiting from Carclew's projects."

Thanks to BHP Billiton, every year for the next three years Carclew will now be able to offer;

Mentorship for a Regional Artist – a regional artist working in any field will be selected to be mentored by an established artist of national standing in the same field.

Indigenous Arts Administration Traineeship – the traineeship will be with a small to medium arts organisation with the Indigenous trainee finishing with a Certificate III in Business (Arts).

Film and New Media Scholarship – worth $12,500, the scholarship will help a talented young artist break into a notoriously hard field.

A 50% increase in financial support for D'Faces of Youth Arts in Whyalla, lifting to $30,000 annually.

Cargo Regional Artists in Schools program - long established and successful, Cargo allows middle year school students in regional areas to engage with professional artists across a range of art forms.

"It's a simple fact that in regional areas opportunities for young people interested in the Arts are thin on the ground. Thanks to this generous support from BHP Billiton, Carclew can now continue to try to redress that imbalance," Ms Walton said.

"We'll now be able to help more young people to hone their talents and skills and build a career in the Arts which will not only benefit them but their communities as well."

First commenced in 2006, the partnership is designed to contribute significantly to the creative life of South Australia and to have a direct impact on thousands of young people, encompassing Adelaide and key regional areas such as Roxby Downs and the Upper Spencer Gulf Region.

In 2007, the partnership was recognised at a national level winning the Australia Business Arts Foundation (ABaF) Australia Council Award for Young People.

For more information on any of Carclew's program, visit their website or give their friendly receptionist a call on (08) 8267 5111.