Skystone Foundation

Flagstaff, AZ

The Skystone Foundation supports Roden Crater, James Turrell's monumental land art project in the Painted Desert region of Northern Arizona, transforming an extinct volcanic cinder cone into a naked-eye observatory and experiential artwork.

Acquired by Turrell in 1977, Roden Crater has evolved over decades into a magnum opus that invites visitors to perceive light, time, and space through a network of chambers, tunnels, and apertures precisely aligned with celestial events. The project brings together art, astronomy, geology, architecture, and Indigenous land stewardship in one of the most ambitious contemporary art initiatives underway in the United States.

A 2025 FCI Technical Assistant Grant supported funding of engineering and pricing work to finalize a modular system incorporating a large photovoltaic array, battery energy storage, and backup generation, with the goal of replacing Roden Crater's reliance on diesel generators and reducing the site's environmental impact.

A 2026 FCI Implementation Grant will support installation of some of the solar array and battery backup system, replacing a propane generator that currently serves as the site's only power source. The project provides a powerful embodiment of the bold transition from fossil fuels at James Turrell's landmark land artwork, ensuring that this exceptional project can welcome visitors with a fully renewable energy infrastructure.