The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts opened in 1996 to forge a new approach to performing arts training. It was co-founded by Lead Patron Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty RNOM OBE (LIPA's Principal), and is housed in McCartney's old school, which underwent a multi-million pound renovation to transform it into a state-of-the-art performing arts higher education institution. Today LIPA is an acknowledged part of the UK's higher education provision for the performing arts, recognised and ranked alongside institutions a lot older. LIPA provides learning for the main skills needed for putting on a show (performers and those who make performance possible), uniquely blending specialist and generic skills.