Residential Recording Studio
Artist Accommodations
Recording at The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is more than a recording studio — it’s a residential creative retreat. Every session includes free lodging in our large, comfortable house, giving artists the time and space to focus fully on their music. Between sessions, guests can unwind with ATVs and motorcycles, relax in one of several hammocks, gather around the campfire ring, fire up the BBQ grill, or enjoy yard games like horseshoes, lawn darts, and glow-in-the-dark bocce. Recording at The Sanctuary is as much a creative getaway as it is a studio session — a place where artists can work hard, recharge, and return home with both great recordings and great memories.
Artist Accommodations
The Sanctuary is designed to be a comfortable home base for artists during their recording sessions. We provide sleeping accommodations for up to five guests (plus a couple couches), along with a full kitchen, two living rooms, a dining room, and a well-stocked library — giving artists plenty of space to relax, collaborate, and recharge between sessions. Whether you're reviewing lyrics, listening to mixes, or simply taking a break, the house is set up to support both creativity and comfort.
Because Henderson is a small town with limited shopping and dining options, we recommend that artists arrive well prepared with plenty of snacks, beverages, and groceries for the duration of their stay. Many artists take full advantage of the kitchen and BBQ grill to cook meals and settle into a productive rhythm.
Expanding the Sanctuary: Future Artist Bunkhouse
As The Sanctuary continues to grow, we are working to finish the attic to create a dedicated artist bunkhouse and lounge. This space will add beds for several more guests, making it easier for larger bands and projects to stay together during recording sessions.
The attic will also include a comfortable movie and gaming area with oversized beanbag chairs and a 100" projector screen — a place for artists to relax, review mixes, and recharge between sessions. This expansion will help us welcome more artists while continuing to build The Sanctuary as a true creative home.
The Sanctuary’s Natural Surroundings
Just minutes from the Minnesota Songwriter Sanctuary, artists and visitors can immerse themselves in some of the region’s most beautiful natural spaces. The nearby Ney Nature Center offers peaceful trails through restored prairie and woodland, while Rush River Park and High Island Park provide scenic spots for hiking, horse riding, picnicking, and quiet reflection. Cyclists and walkers alike enjoy the newly completed Hummingbird Bike Trail, a gentle route that winds through the local countryside. And the Minnesota River itself flows right through town, offering constantly changing views of water, sky, and wildlife. This photo was taken at one of our favorite picnic spots just north of town — a calm stretch of riverbank where the wide water and tree-lined shores create the perfect place to relax, write, or find inspiration in the landscape.