Willi Smith was an avid patron of the arts and collaborated with an extensive group of artists from 1973 up until his death in 1987. He designed costumes for choreographer Dianne McIntyre’s productions "The Lost Sun" (1973), "The Deep South Suite" (1976), and "Take-Off From a Forced Landing" (1984). Smith also designed costumes for the Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Dance Company’s performance "Secret Pastures" (1984), as well as for Ellen Stewart's La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club's production "Cotton-Club Gala" (1985).