Friends of the Cotsen Institute

Established over 50 years ago, the Friends of the Cotsen Institute offers a comprehensive range of opportunities to get involved for all those interested in the many fascinating aspects of archaeology. Friends originally formed to raise funds for UCLA graduate student education and Cotsen Institute activities. Today, the group—a recognized university support program directed by an Executive Board—also provides opportunities for members to volunteer for Institute field and laboratory projects, and attend field trips, private lectures and behind-the-scenes events at various cultural centers. Friends members have joined excavations in countries such as Canada, Peru, Armenia, and Panama, and have toured archaeological sites in Egypt, China, the Andes, and the Mediterranean with Cotsen Institute faculty. The group remains dedicated to supporting archaeology at UCLA and is vital to the vibrant atmosphere of the Cotsen Institute.