Brooke soon became active in the artistic affairs of his new city, becoming vice-president of the Washington Art Club in 1881 and remaining in that role until 1884.[5] In the latter year he was among those who founded the Art Students League of Washington, at which he would also work as an instructor. Long on the staff of the Corcoran School, he serve as its vice principal from 1902 until 1917;[2] his work was seen in the Corcoran Biennials of 1912, 1914, and 1916.