The Textile Collection consists of approximately 5,000 textiles and fragments from nearly every corner of the world, ranging over almost the entire known history of textiles. This assemblage illustrates the evolution of weaving, dying and surface treatment techniques, although the pieces are also selected for their aesthetic qualities. These diverse holdings include textiles from Elizabethan England to Han Dynasty China to contemporary Japan.

The Neutrogena Collection, a gift to the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico, also includes a number of textiles.

The forthcoming publication will focus on 60 Chinese textiles dating from the Western Zhou dynasty (ca. 1046-771 BCE) through the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220CE). An article by Dr. Zhao Feng, Executive Director of the China National Silk Museum, will discuss the importance of Silk Road trade on Chinese textile design, the genesis of design motifs in early Chinese textiles, weaving technology, and the use and significance of different fibers.  The publication will feature full-view images of all the textiles and detail images of select textiles.

CFAR has given the Racine Art Museum in Racine, Wisconsin, a grant to commission a group of contemporary artists to create one-of-a-kind fiber art works for Lloyd Cotsen's Box Project.

Artists will create three dimensional works that will fit in one of two sizes of boxes and can be displayed inside or outside the box.

The artists involved will represent respected and well-recognized American talents from the fiber field who work in a variety of methods. The Box Projects will become part of the Lloyd Cotsen Textile Traces Collection.