I would try to visit Smith. A lot of young women who are initially resistant to the idea of an all women’s college change their minds after considering the positives, not the least of which are topnotch academics and generous merit aid. It is, however, a very liberal, activist campus.
For visiting, I would give the less selectives (like Conn College, Skidmore, Smith, Rochester) priority over Yale and Brown. Your daughter is probably right that she will like Yale and Brown a lot. If she gets in, she can visit then.
I know that Williams is also highly selective, but I would leave it on the list because she may or may not respond positively to its rural environment.
I’ve lost track of what her safeties are, and I’m not sure which schools on your list would qualify as true admissions safeties (not to mention financial safeties).
To me, visiting safeties is critical, and finding acceptable options can take some trial and error. Northeast safeties are hard to come by, but seeing a campus and interacting with students and admissions personnel can make a difference in how a student views a potential safety – for better or for worse. I think you should review the suggestions you’ve received and add in one or two to your visit list, even if you have to sacrifice the Ivies this trip.
As far as advice for a career as a working artist, I think you’ll find that art schools and BFA programs will be stronger in this area than art departments at academically focused schools. I know that many of the studio professors at Williams have solid reputations in the art world and regularly show at highly regarded galleries, but ultimately they chose careers in academia.