Truckee Roundhouse Community Makerspace

ABOUT

Truckee Roundhouse is a community-created, community-run, community-benefiting non-profit makerspace located at the Truckee-Tahoe Airport.  In our 4,800-square-foot renovated storage hanger, we offer five fully functioning shops -- Wood, Metal, Textiles, Ceramics, and Technology with high-quality tools, including cutting-edge CNC machines such as a Laser Cutter, Plasma Cutter, and 3D printers.  We are almost entirely volunteer-run, with 45 volunteers who staff the front desk, maintain tools and machinery, orient members, and together with an additional 153 volunteers, logged 9,440 volunteer hours this year (!!)

Since our opening in December 2016, we have been bringing the community together, making a positive impact on education, youth development, and the arts.

Our Vision is to empower people to explore their creative potential and build a more connected, inspired, and vibrant world. 

What does this mean?

It means we have designed our programs to be achievable, affordable, and accessible for our mountain community. We seek funding from our community partners so access to our space is available to all. As a board and an organization, we believe our community is stronger when we all have access to the tools, teachers, and mentors to make our creative dreams a reality. 

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

There are four ways for the public to engage with us: 

1) as independent users with monthly or annual memberships, working in a collaborative environment; 

2) in group classes and workshops that teach tool usage and inspire creativity via special projects; 

3) through our Education and Community Enrichment Program with school and nonprofit partners, 

4) at our inclusive, FREE, public outreach making events. 

WHO WE SERVE

The Truckee Roundhouse serves the North Lake Tahoe area with creative and arts programming. We exist for EVERY member of our community and work to include individuals and groups from all sectors in our outreach. 

We have more than 340 members, ranging in age from 12 to 75. These may be retiree guitar makers or furniture builders, entrepreneurs using the space to develop prototypes, families doing group projects, or artists making gallery pieces; there is no limit to the type of users the space attracts.

In 2023, we had 8,350 user visits through our public classes, membership, and community programs.

YOUR GIFT SUPPORTS:

Education and Community Enrichment Programs

We provide high-quality tools and instruction so youth and community groups can immediately begin to learn and create projects in a safe and engaging environment.  Professionals and experienced users mentor the students, who celebrate the joy of making something with their own hands as they learn project design and teamwork. The making process helps develop problem-solving skills, self-esteem, and resilience.  As they exercise creativity to build custom projects, they also apply principles of math and science to real-life situations.

Our partnerships reveal how closely we are tied to our community and the diversity of who we serve: North Tahoe Boys and Girls Club, Sierra College, Creekside Charter School, Tahoe Expeditionary Academy (TEA), Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, CHOICES Adult Services, Arts in Wellness, AIM High, Sierra Continuation High School (Sources of Strength Program), Sierra Expeditionary Learning Academy (SELS), Sierra Watershed Education Partnership (SWEP), Keep Truckee Green (Town of Truckee initiative), Forest Charter School (Program in Human-Centered Design), Sierra Business Council, Slow Food Tahoe, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, Tahoe Public Arts Commission, and Tahoe Arts Alliance.

Scholarships

The Truckee Roundhouse offers a wide range of classes that empower individuals to explore and unleash their creative potential. The Class Scholarship Program grants individual awards of $275 per individual per quarter, enabling recipients to enroll in any available classes across their five workshops: wood, metal, textiles, ceramics, and technology.This initiative is designed to provide educational opportunities for individuals demonstrating financial need and a desire to use the Truckee Roundhouse for personal or professional growth.

Affordable Membership Rates

We strive to be an inclusive, accessible resource for all members of our community. We understand the high cost of living in our area and seek private and grant funding to keep our monthly membership rates affordable.