Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts explained

Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
City:Liverpool
Affiliations:
Country:England
Coordinates:53.3996°N 2.9723°W
Module:
Embed:yes
Architect:David Watkins – Brock Carmichael Architects[1]
Construction Start Date:1990

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) is a performing arts higher education institution in Liverpool, founded by Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty and opened in 1996. LIPA offers 20 full-time BA (Hons) degrees in a range of fields across the performing arts, as well as three Foundation Certificate programmes of study in acting and popular music. LIPA offers full-time, one-year master's-level degree courses in Acting and Costume Design and Making. It is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools.[2]

The Education Guardian has previously ranked LIPA No. 1 in the UK for several of its degree courses, and it is regularly ranked as one of the top 10 specialist institutions.[3]

In September 2003, LIPA launched LIPA 4–19, a part-time performing arts academy for 4-to-19-year-olds. LIPA started its own primary free school in 2014 and its own sixth form free college in 2016.

History

Formation

LIPA was founded by Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty. McCartney had known since 1985 that the building which had housed his old school, the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys, was becoming increasingly derelict after the school's closure and wished to find a productive use for it; Featherstone-Witty had set up the Brit School in London and was looking for an opportunity to open another school. McCartney and Featherstone-Witty were introduced to each other by record producer George Martin. The process of setting up the facility and the school took seven years and cost £20m.

1996–today

LIPA was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 7 June 1996, and marked its 10th birthday in January 2006 with a performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and a new book, LIPA – The First Ten Years in Pictures,[4] written by Featherstone-Witty.

LIPA was designated as a higher education institution (HEI) in 2006. As a performing arts HEI, LIPA is attended by the highest number of international students in the UK.[5] LIPA has been awarded the Gold Standard from Investors in People – the only HEI to have achieved this level in the UK.[6] LIPA also has the highest concentration of Fellows and Associates recognised by the Higher Education Academy.

In March 2012, LIPA announced that it had purchased the former building of the Liverpool College of Art for £3.7 million, to expand its teaching accommodation.[7] Building work started on the Art School in 2014, and was completed in August 2016. Under the Free School programme, LIPA opened a primary school nearby in 2014, and a Sixth Form College in September 2016, both of which became oversubscribed.[8]

Featherstone-Witty resigned as LIPA secretary in March 2015.[9]

A 2017 survey of students who graduated in 2014 showed that 91% were in work, and 83% of those were working in the performing arts.[10]

Admissions

Undergraduate tuition fees were £9,250 in 2023/24, with International tuition fees at £19,500 for 2023/24.[11]

Current courses

LIPA qualifications are validated by Liverpool John Moores University.[12] [13] [14]

Foundation Certificates

Undergraduate (Degree)

Master's (Degree)

Companions

LIPA does not issue its own degrees, so rather than issuing Honorary degrees like other British universities, it awards "Companionships" to individuals in recognition of their contributions to the world of art and entertainment. Prospective companions often visit LIPA to give masterclasses to students, or to participate in question and answer sessions.

Companionships awarded by the institution are:

+ denotes a Companion who is also a LIPA Patron.

Notable alumni

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) . 2022-10-27 . Brock Carmichael . en.
  2. Web site: Granger . Rachel . Rapid Scoping Study on Leicester Drama School . De Montfort University Leicester . 7 September 2019.
  3. News: Elson. Peter. Paul McCartney's "Fame School" to reign in Spain. 25 March 2018. liverpoolecho. 20 February 2013.
  4. Book: Featherstone-Witty, Mark. LIPA in Pictures: The First 10 Years. 23 January 2006. Schools for Performing Arts. .
  5. Web site: International Students. Lipa.ac.uk. 1 August 2017.
  6. Web site: LIPA website – 'LIPA sets new standard in performing arts sector'. Lipa.ac.uk. 1 August 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161118224012/http://www.lipa.ac.uk/detail/LIPA_sets_new_standard_in_performing_arts_sector__/365/25.aspx. 18 November 2016.
  7. Web site: Paul McCartney's LIPA buys John Lennon's art college building. 30 March 2012. BBC. 1 August 2017.
  8. Web site: Take a look at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts' new £5.4m sixth-form building. Joshua. Taylor. 7 December 2015. 13 November 2020.
  9. Web site: CompaniesHouse: Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. 13 November 2020.
  10. Web site: LIPA. Lipa.ac.uk. 1 August 2017.
  11. Web site: Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts: Fees and funding. 13 November 2020.
  12. Web site: About Us. Lipa.ac.uk. 1 August 2017.
  13. Web site: The Complete University Guide = Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. 13 November 2020.
  14. Web site: TheUniGuide:Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. 13 November 2020.
  15. Web site: Legendary lyricist Don Black to be honoured by LIPA. Lorna Hughes. 11 July 2014. Liverpool Echo. 1 August 2017.
  16. News: Sir Paul McCartney back in Liverpool for annual LIPA graduation ceremony. Rob. Pattinson. 28 July 2015. Liverpool Echo. 1 August 2017.
  17. Web site: Award-winning broadcaster & Arts Council Chief Executive among new LIPA Companions . 26 July 2016 . 13 November 2020 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160729135326/http://www.lipa.ac.uk/detail/Awardwinning_broadcaster__Arts_Council_Chief_Executive_among_new_LIPA_Companions/1223/25.aspx . Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts . 29 July 2016 .
  18. Web site: LIPA News: Hollywood A-lister among new LIPA Companions. Lipa.ac.uk. 1 August 2017.
  19. Web site: Nile Rogers among new LIPA Companions. theguideliverpool.com. 27 July 2018.
  20. Web site: LIPA News: Blackadder reunion as two comedy legends are made LIPA Companions. Lipa.ac.uk. 3 March 2020.
  21. Web site: Volmers . Eric . October 16, 2020 . Alberta chill: Locally shot horror film gives Irish newcomer a perfect showcase . 2023-02-20 . . en-CA.

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