The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, also known as LIPA, is a Privately Owned institution headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1996 and employing approximately 300 individuals, the institution was co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty with the aim of forging a new approach to performing arts training. It is housed in McCartney's former school, which underwent a multi-million pound renovation to transform it into a state-of-the-art performing arts higher education institution. LIPA provides education across various disciplines including Music, Acting, Applied Theatre and Community Drama, Dance, Filmmaking, Management, Sound Technology, and Theatre Performance Design and Technology.