Creative Education Thrives at Truckee Roundhouse in 2025
The Truckee Roundhouse Community Makerspace is proud to celebrate a remarkable year of impact through its Education and Community Enrichment Program (ECEP), serving hundreds of local youth, adults, and families across the Truckee–Tahoe region in 2025.
In a year marked by growth, inclusion, and deep community connection, the Roundhouse welcomed more than 680 students through school and nonprofit partnerships, with one-third of participants coming from underserved families. Through hands-on, project-based learning in woodworking, metalworking, ceramics, textiles, and technology, participants built practical skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging—often discovering new pathways into STEAM fields, the trades, and creative careers. The Roundhouse welcomed an additional 9,000 user visits through its member and public class programs.
Programs expanded across more than 20 partner schools and organizations, including alternative education programs, mental health and wellness partners, and youth development organizations. 2025 highlights included supporting Sierra Watershed Education Partnership to design new Trashion show outfits, mentoring middle school students from Twin Ridges Charter Program to build a bookshelf for the Community Arts Building, hosting high school students from Sugar Bowl Academy as they explored the intersection of physics and ceramics, empowering SELS sixth graders with the skills they needed to build a climate change art piece, and celebrating a continued partnership with the Aim High Summer Program. These partnerships help students discover their strengths, explore vocational pathways, and develop self-esteem through making.
New for 2025, the Truckee Roundhouse launched Seniors Art Workshops—a free monthly creative class series designed specifically for older adults in our region.
This new program, offered in partnership with Truckee-Donner Rec & Park (TDRPD) and Tahoe Truckee Helping Hands, provides seniors with a welcoming space to learn new skills, stay socially connected, and strengthen memory, concentration, and overall cognitive well-being. In a region where community resources for older adults are limited, this initiative reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every member of the community, especially those who are often under-resourced, has access to meaningful creative opportunities.
Through its programming, the Roundhouse continues to demonstrate that creativity is a powerful tool for education, resilience, and community well-being.
“What we see every day is transformation,” said Executive Director Karyn Stanley. “Young people who felt disconnected from their education often rediscover purpose through the hands-on learning that happens at the Roundhouse. Adults navigating life transitions find confidence and community. These outcomes are only possible because of the partners who believe that access to creative learning changes lives.”
Gratitude to Our 2025 Education & Community Enrichment Funders
The successes of the 2025 Education and Community Enrichment Program were made possible through the generous support of our funding partners, including:
Lahontan Community Foundation Fund held at the Tahoe Community Foundation
Teichert Foundation
Dragonfly Community Arts
Rozar Family Foundation
Keep Truckee Green: Town of Truckee’s sustainability, solid waste, and resiliency division
Soroptimist of Truckee Donner
Community Charitable Giving and Individual Donors
Their collective investment ensures that programs remain accessible and affordable for school and community partners and that everyone in our community has a pathway to creative programming.
Looking Ahead
As the Roundhouse prepares for its next chapter—including expanded facilities and deeper educational partnerships—the organization remains committed to its vision: to empower people to explore their creative potential and build a more connected, inspired, and vibrant Truckee-Tahoe community.