In a 2010 interview with the author Jonathan Lethem, legendary performing artist Patti Smith boldly declared that New York’s creative dominance was finished, and even went so far as to suggest that Detroit could be the next New York. What she meant by that statement is that the Detroit of today—with its struggling economy and abundance of inexpensive lofts—resembles the New York she moved to in 1967, an affordable city with unlimited opportunity for the creative class. This is in stark contrast to the New York of today, whose eye-poppingly expensive rents has “closed itself off to the young and struggling,” according to Smith. One of the things that Detroit offers is real freedom for creative types to simply exist creatively, without the overwhelming financial burden of a city like New York.

Well, with Smith in our corner, we had better take the opportunity to return the favor and show her our support. Tonight, June 1, at 7:30 p.m., the Detroit Institute of Arts (a Knight Arts grantee) will launch a special photography exhibit, “Patti Smith: Camera Solo,” with a concert by Smith, who will be playing alongside her children, Jackson and Jesse Smith, respectively. A concert ticket provides admission to the museum, as well as the special exhibit featuring Smith’s photography — including 70 black-and-white, silver gelatin prints, a selection of Polaroids and important artifacts from Smith’s personal collection — which will be on display from June 1-September 2.

Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org “Patti Smith: Camera Solo,” on display June 1-September 2.