Letter: Ohio loses pioneer in arts education

On Dec. 27, Jerry Tollifson died in Westerville. Anyone who has a job in arts education has Jerry Tollifson to thank.

Jerry was the first art consultant for the Ohio Department of Education. On his first day, he asked the superintendent, “What do I do?” The response was, “I don't know, what you think is best.” That was his driving force and the hallmark of what Jerry was about. He did, often in he face of adversity, what he knew was best for the field and for every student in Ohio's schools.

In the 1970s, he co-authored the game-changing balanced comprehensive art curriculum methodology. Jerry was the apostle for that change, traveling, advocating and educating others. When the Lima schools wanted to move into the 20th century with art education, Jerry was here helping build a new K-12 curriculum guide. Anytime we asked, he came, helping us deepen and broaden our practice. He urged us into becoming the first district beyond the Columbus loop to enter the Getty-funded Ohio Partnership for the Visual Arts.

Years after he retired, he was active and dedicated as ever. When Lima was the first district to adopt the new standards for the arts in 2003, Jerry was at our board meeting, offering congratulations. Sure, it was his job for 28 years, but I think that had little to do with how he helped us and countless others.

Jerry had a passion for the arts and arts education. He lived it and breathed it. We are incredibly indebted to him here in the Lima schools because, in doing what he knew was best for arts education, he did what was best for us.

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