Sydney, Sep 30 (IANS): Actress Cate Blanchett received an honorary doctorate at Macquarie University here recently for her contribution in the field of arts, philanthropy and community.

The “Blue Jasmine” actress delivered a passionate speech when she accepted the honour at the varsity last week, reports femalefirst.co.uk

She hailed the arts as a ‘driver of innovation and exploration’.

"The arts are what we stay alive for, what we work for all week, what we dream about, what connects us and indeed, what some will say makes us human,” she said.

"Within this broad church is housed a myriad of professions -- professions which some of you will participate in, help change, shape and evolve and I'd like to say today that it is the arts that have always been the driver of innovation and exploration," she added.

The 48-year-old who has sons Dashiell, Roman, and Ignatius with husband Andrew Upton, also stressed on the value of studying the arts.