In a career marked by versatility and distinctive subject matter, John Lithgow, at 78, is now focusing on a real-world issue: Arts classes in public schools.

His April 26 PBS special “Art Happens Here with John Lithgow” sees the Tony and Emmy winning actor immerse himself in four Los Angeles arts programs for kids to illustrate their importance.

“What do I hope people take away from this?  A better sense of how important and in my opinion, how essential it is,” he said in a virtual interview, “to give young kids the inspiration, education and discipline of the creative arts.

“Of course, I want those watching to enjoy and be entertained. But also remind them how important arts education is.”

“Art Happens Here” he calls, “A piece of strenuous advocacy. Along with showing a lot of delightful young people and four brilliant teachers.

“American education in general,” he continued, “has been in dire straits even before the pandemic came along and robbed millions of kids of two years of social development and in-person education. One of the things very deleterious is the slow diminution of arts in the classroom for kids.

“When I was a kid, I moved around a lot. I went to about six or eight different public schools. In my most formative years, in 9th and 10th grade in Akron, Ohio, of all places, I had the very best arts education. My two teachers in those two years were unquestionably the best, most inspiring teachers I had in all my secondary education. They made me a better student.

“I’m absolutely convinced of that,” he added, “because I co-chaired a committee on the arts of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In three years of research that wrapped up three years ago, we found pure, hard evidence on what effect arts in education does for young people in schools: It makes them better students!

“It also makes them much more eager to get to school.  Nothing can help with the terrible challenges of inequality more than arts education.

“Because it’s in arts classrooms — music, dance, theater and studio art — that young people really discover who they are. It was certainly my case.”

Lithgow’s message?

“I say, Take yourself out of your comfort zone! It’s something I’ve done my entire life. As an actor, I always cook something up for myself — in case nobody wants me.

“That’s how I end up with symphony orchestras for children, writing satirical books. Always be ready to take on challenges you’re not sure of achieving.”

“Art Happens Here with John Lithgow” airs April 26 on PBS

John and student Rosie work on a ceramics project at the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge. (Photo Jessica Howes/PBS SoCal)