The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) is more than just an educational institution, it is a place where the future of world music and performing arts takes off. Founded in the heart of the city that gave the world the legendary The Beatles, LIPA has become a centre of creative inspiration, uniting talents from all over the world. How exactly has this institute become one of the most prestigious music academies and what is its contribution to the development of the modern industry? Learn more at liverpool-trend.com.
General information
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts is a leading world-class educational institution providing university training in the field of performing and creative arts. It offers a variety of courses, including acting, musical theatre, dance, film production, music, management, sound technology, design and performance technology.
LIPA creates a creative and inspiring environment where students can experiment and take risks while acquiring knowledge to advance their careers. It is one of the few educational institutions that offers the opportunity to develop any skill required to create a show and gain experience working on real projects and productions.
Important events
The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts opened its doors in 1996 on the grounds of the former Liverpool Institute High School for Boys. The idea of the institution creation belongs to Mark Featherstone-Witty, who in 1991 began developing a plan to create a university-level performing arts institution following the success of The Brit School.
While preparing for his Liverpool Oratorio in 1992, Paul McCartney visited his old school and its horrible state after it closed in 1985. He promised to save the building. Along with Mark, they developed plans to create LIPA on the site of Paul’s old school. Here is a timeline of events.
January 1996 – After a £20 million renovation, the institute accepted its first students.
June – The institution was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
June 1998 – The first batch of students (150 BAs) graduated from the institute.
2000 – Graduate Rachel Leskovac was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
2003 – LIPA 4:19 Primary School was launched. Liverpool won the right to be the European Capital of Culture in 2008.
2004 – LIPA graduate earned his 1,000th degree.
2005 – Graduate Mike Crossey offered cooperation to Arctic Monkeys and produced their first EP.
2006 – LIPA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a gala concert at the Royal Philharmonic Hall. The Sentric Music company was founded.
2008 – The Wombats performed at the opening of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture year. Stella McCartney hosted a fashion show as part of the celebrations.
2009 – The institution’s alumni formed the Selladoor theatre company after success at the Edinburgh Festival.
2011 – Institution’s alumni Nicolette Whitley and Renako McDonald (Alleviate) reached the final of the Got to Dance show.
2012 – LIPA bought the former Liverpool College of Art building for expansion. Actress Liz White starred in the film The Woman in Black.
2014 – LIPA opened Primary School.
2015 – The institute received a high rating for its education quality from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
2016 – LIPA opened a sixth-form college.
2017 – Paul McCartney hosted a Facebook Q&A at LIPA to promote his album Egypt Station. LIPA received a gold award in the first Teaching Excellence Framework.
2018 – LIPA received £3.9m for expansion. Its students worked with the Slung Low theatre company on a major project.
2019 – Alumna Lynette Howell Taylor co-produced the eight-Oscars-nominated film A Star is Born. Student Thomas Carsley won the BBC Young Dancer of the Year final.
2020 – LIPA was listed in Billboard’s top music business schools.
2021 – LIPA opened High School. Hannah Peel became the first graduate to be nominated for a Mercury Prize.
2022 – The Wombats topped the UK charts with Fix Yourself, Not the World. Institute’s graduates appeared in the TV series House of the Dragon.
2023 – Around 150 LIPA students and alumni helped organise the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool in honour of Ukraine.
This timeline shows that the institute maintains links with its famous alumni and continues to expand its influence on the cultural life of the UK and the world.
Learning approach
The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts offers an innovative approach to learning performing arts. Founded in 1996 by Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty, the institution stands out by combining professional skills with the general knowledge needed to create a show.
LIPA’s curriculum is constantly updated to prepare students for long and fulfilling careers. For the last four years, over 96% of graduates have been employed and 87% of them work in performing arts. LIPA has close ties to the music industry, regularly holding auditions and showcases for labels and publishing companies. Many institute’s students have achieved success in songwriting competitions.
LIPA graduates work as session musicians, producers and composers for computer games and advertising campaigns. They can also be found on stage alongside world-famous performers, including Lady Gaga, Adele, Coldplay, Florence & the Machine, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and others. They also perform as backing vocalists, instrumentalists or tour sound engineers.
