The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts opened in 1996 to forge a new approach to performing arts training. It was co-founded by our Lead Patron Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty (LIPA's Principal), and is housed in his 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 has a reputation for being one of the UK's leading higher education institutions. Many people associate us with Music but we also teach Acting, Applied Theatre and Community Drama, Dance, Management, Sound Technology and Theatre Performance Design and Technology.