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.